Bill Winter is in his 11th year at the helm of the Pilot men's golf team. A graduate of the University of Portland (1988), Winter was a four-year letterwinner on the Pilot baseball team for former coach and athletic director Joe Etzel.
The 2008-09 season featured 17 rounds below 300, which is tied for the third most in a single season in UP men’s golf history. During the second round of the season-opening Giustina Memorial Classic (Sept. 22-23), the Pilots shot a record-low 277. The 11-under par 277 on the par 72 course was the most below par during a single round in program history. All four counting UP golfers were under par during the second round, with sophomore Justin Smithhisler leading the way with a 68.
During the 2007-08 season, Winter earned West Coast Conference Co-Coach of the Year honors after the Pilots enjoyed one of the most successful seasons in program history. It’s the first time a UP coach has earned that honor since 1994.
The team scoring average of 73.8 during the 2007-08 season was the lowest mark ever in the history of Portland’s men’s golf program, which began in 1984. The team’s 17 rounds below 300 are the third most in a single season in UP men’s golf history. The Pilots, who finished the season ranked 97th according to Golfstat, also finished first out of 14 teams to win the Santa Clara Invitational (Oct. 22-23). It’s the first team victory for UP since 2003.
Then sophomore Terence Macatangay earned First Team All-WCC after tying for seventh place at the WCC Championships (April 14-15). He became the first UP men’s golfer to earn first-team all-conference since 2003. Smithhisler posted the lowest scoring average (74.15) for a freshman in UP history and earned All-WCC Honorable Mention after tying for ninth place overall at the WCC Championships. He finished tops among all freshmen at the tourney.
After graduating from UP, Winter worked as an account manager for Nike in corporate sales for nine years. He gained six years of coaching experience among a variety of sports before taking on the head coaching duties with the men's golf team at Portland.
Coach Winter remains active as a player taking part in several golf tournaments throughout the year. A scratch golfer, Winter competes in tournaments locally, regionally and nationally. He holds the unofficial course record (62) for members at Columbia Edgewater Country Club, which he has shot three times.
Born in Spokane, Wash., Winter attended La Salle High School in Portland. He and his wife Patti are the proud parents of four children.