LANCASTER, Pa. – The Franklin & Marshall Athletic Department has announced that Ken Ord will become the first-ever full-time head golf coach in the College's history. Beginning with the upcoming 2026-27 academic year, Ord will assume head coaching duties of both the men's and women's golf teams. Both programs have experienced record-breaking results during the recent seasons and the newly-created full-time head coaching position will provide even more support to both of these flourishing programs.
"Ken has consistently demonstrated an ability to elevate our student-athletes competitively," said Lauren Packer Webster, Director of Athletics & Recreation. "With his full-time leadership of F&M's golf programs, I am confident our teams will continue to build on a strong tradition of excellence and national success."
Ord will begin his 18th overall season of coaching with the Diplomats during the 2026-27 season. With Ord leading the women's program, the Diplomats achieved a new program benchmark for excellence as F&M has recorded its top five scoring averages in program history over the past five seasons. Most recently, the 2025-26 team achieved the second-best team scoring average in program history, a mark topped only by the 2022-23 team.
Ord's most recent standout, Sarah Wang, became the program's first-ever Centennial Conference Rookie of the Year in 2025. Wang currently holds the school record for both single-season and career scoring averages. Ord has helped 14 players achieve All-Centennial Conference recognition.
"I'm excited to join the talented Franklin & Marshall coaching staff as the full-time golf coach," stated Ord. "I will focus on continuing to build upon the recent success of our women's program while also contributing to the rich tradition and history of our successful men's program. I look forward to continuing to build strong relationships with our student-athletes and mentoring them both on and off the course."
Franklin & Marshall's men's golf team has been the gold standard in the Centennial Conference as the Diplomats have won 13 of the last 17 conference titles. The Diplomats most recently captured the 2026 Centennial Conference title with a championship record team score of 11-under par. Prior to this spring's run to the championship, the Diplomats had won a Centennial Conference-record five consecutive championships from 2014 through 2018 before a more recent stretch of four consecutive championships spanning the 2021 through 2024 seasons.
The men's team has further excelled on the national stage with 18 appearances at the Division III National Tournament. During the past decade, four golfers have finished in the top 10 nationally, with Stephen Colodny's fourth-place finish headlining that group. The most recent F&M golfer to accomplish a top-10 finish was Roy Anderson who finished in a tie for eighth at the 2024 NCAA Championship.
"Having a full-time head coach is the best thing that could happen to enhance the program for the men's and women's teams," explained former men's golf coach and Franklin & Marshall Hall of Fame inductee Andy Tompos '69. "Ken's background and credentials will definitely lend tremendous credibility to the program. This move will allow for F&M to continue to recruit the top players in the country as it competes with the top schools in Division III."
Ord brings a decorated coaching background to Franklin & Marshall as he gained full membership into the Professional Golfers' Association (PGA) of America in 1996 after beginning his professional career in 1992. In addition to coaching the F&M women's team, Ord also served as the Director of Golf at Overlook Golf Course.
To ensure Ord's smooth transition into this new position, both Andy Tompos '69 and Deryl Denlinger will remain on staff as assistant coaches and continue to lend their vast knowledge of the game to F&M's talented student-athletes.
