Jimmy Stobs became the eighth head coach in Barry men's golf history in fall 2002. He was inducted into the Golf Coaches Association of America Hall of Fame on December 7, 2015. His teams have produced an overall head-to-head record of 2149-607-15 in tournament play entering the 2018-19 season.
Emphasizing discipline and course management, Stobs has taken the Buccaneers men’s golf program to the highest level. Stobs' teams won NCAA Division II National Championships in 2007, 2013 and 2014. Stobs became the first coach in NCAA history in any division to win national championships under the two formats used to crown a champion. In 2007, he led the Buccaneers to the national title under the stroke play-only format. In 2013 and 2014, his teams won championships awarded to teams which, after emerging from the stroke play portion of the NCAA tournament, were victorious in the match play format.
The 2020-2021 team was another successful one for the Bucs as they earned their 17th consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance and placed three golfers on the PING NCAA Division II All-American team. AJ Ewart was named a member of the second team while Santiago Chamorro and Daniel Faccini both earned honorable mention spots. All three golfers were also named members of the All-SSC and All-Region teams. Felipe Alvarez was also named a Scholar All-American. The Buccaneers finished in the top five at every event they competed in during the regular season, including second-place finishes at the Space Coast Intercollegiate and the Battle at the Shores. The Bucs placed fourth at the SSC Championship and finished in eighth out of 16 at the NCAA Regional.
The 2019-20 team was one of the program's best ever, Barry claimed a divisional best five team titles under Stobs' tutelage before the season was cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic. When Barry suspended all athletic activities, the team was ranked #1 in the country headed into the final stretch of the season. The Buccaneer's also had one top-five and one top-ten finish in their other two events of the season. Barry placed two golfers on the All-American team with AJ Ewart making the third team and Tyler Bakich being recognized as an honorable mention. In addition, AJ Ewart, Tyler Bakich, and Nicolas Quintero were all named as members of the All-Region team for the South Division.
The 2018-19 team set a number of school records, becoming the first squad in school history to average under par for the the year with a scoring average of 283.67 strokes per round (-2.67 to par). In 36 rounds, the Bucs came in under par 28 times. The Bucs finished number one in the nation in scoring average for the fourth time under Stobs. The team tied the record with eight wins in 12 tournaments that was set in 2013-14. Their finish percentage was 96.5, also a school record. The team produced 631 holes under par, including a record 620 birdies. The team was consistent across the board, posting the best numbers in school history in par-3, par-4 and par-5 scoring. The team won the Sunshine State Conference Tournament and finished first in stroke play at the nationals. The bowed out in the quarterfinals of match play, finishing tied for fifth. Jorge Garcia and Niclas Weiland of BarryU were named to the PING All-America First-Team - the only school to place two members on the First-Team. Tyler Bakich and Daniel Faccini also earned honorable mention selections. Jorge Garcia was also named the Jack Nicklaus DII Player of the year.
In 2017-18, Stobs guided the Buccaneers to a runner-up finish at the NCAA Division II Championship stroke play tournament. The Bucs advanced to the NCAA semifinals in match play for the first time since winning the national title in 2014. Barry defeated Saint Leo, 3-2, in the quarterfinals, before falling by the same score to Lynn in the semifinals. The Buccaneers tied a school record relative to par with a 16-under in the second round of the NCAA Championship. The Bucs also set a school record in par-3 scoring during the season with a 3.1647 average. Barry was second in two other regular season events, and finished third in three more. Junior Jorge Garcia's 63 in the second round of the NCAA Championship was the second lowest score in school history.
In 2016-17, Barry won the NCAA Division II Championship stroke play tournament and the Sunshine State Conference Championship for the third time under Stobs. The Buccaneers, who finished the season with the No. 3 national ranking, also won its own tournament, the Battle at the Shores. Niclas Weiland was named a First-Team All-American by the GCAA. He also earned Third-Team Academic All-America honors from the College Sports Information Directors of America. Barry tied for fifth at the NCAA Division II Championships for the second straight year, falling to Arkansas Tech, 2-2-1, on a one-stroke tiebreaker. Barry went 153-28-1 during the season.
In 2015-16, the Bucs tied for fifth at the NCAA Championships, falling to Lynn, 3-2, in the match play quarterfinals. Barry tied for fourth in the stroke play portion of the national tournament. It marked the eighth straight year Stobs took his team to the NCAA Championships. Barry won the Saint Leo Invitational, and finished runner-up in three other tournaments. Weiland was named the SSC Freshman of the Year. The Bucs put together a 160-45-6 record in head-to-head competition.
Stobs directed the Buccaneers to the NCAA Championships in 2014-15. Barry won two tournaments during the season, and finished runner-up once and third twice. Adam Svensson, Stobs' most decorated recruit ever, turned pro during the season. Mario Beltran, Mike Anderson and Nico Cavero each earned All-American honors, and Berry Jole was a Scholar All-American for the second straight year. His team had a combined season record of 137-35-3.
In 2013-14, Stobs guided Barry to a second consecutive NCAA Championship, winning the title at The Meadows Golf Course in Allendale, Michigan. It was the second time Barry won the national title on the course, having claimed the 2007 championship at The Meadows. His No. 1-ranked Bucs beat Nova Southeastern, 3-1-1, in the match play finals to repeat as national champs. Barry defeated Chico State, 3-2, in the NCAA semifinals after beating Cal State Monterey Bay, 3-2, in the quarterfinals -- both on the same day. Barry finished as the No. 2 seed coming out of stroke play at the NCAA Championships, shooting a tournament-low 280 in the final round. The Bucs won a school-record eight tournaments during the season, including the last four. Stobs' team became the first team in the program's history to win the prestigious Buccaneer Invitational, Sunshine State Conference Championships, South/Southeast Super Regional and NCAA Championships. Stobs was named the SSC Coach of the Year, marking the first time he received that honor in his Barry career. He also was named the Golf Pride Grips South Region Coach of the Year. Svensson was named the Division II Jack Nicklaus National Player of the Year. He was named a First-Team All-American after winning a school-record seven tournaments, and had a 70.05 scoring average, breaking his previous school record. Smyers, Dalga and Beltran earned All-American honors. Jole, Dalga and Smyers each were named Scholar All-Americans. His team went 167-11-2 in head-to-head competition, authoring one of the best seasons in NCAA Division II history.
In 2012-13, Stobs directed the Buccaneers to their second NCAA Championship, beating conference rival Lynn by four strokes in the match play finals tiebreaker in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Barry, which was ranked No. 1 or 2 in the country throughout the season, defeated arch-rival and defending national champion Nova Southeastern by two strokes in the match play semifinals tiebreaker. The Bucs beat Missouri-St. Louis, 4-1, in the match play quarterfinals after finishing as the No. 2 seed in the three-day stroke play portion of the national tournament. Svensson was named the Phil Mickelson Award winner, given to the National Freshman of the Year after becoming the first golfer in school history to carry a stroke average under par at 71.26. Svensson and Smyers were First-Team All-Americans, while Marcus Segerstrom and Dalga were Honorable Mention All-Americans. Stobs was named the GCAA National Coach of the Year for the second time after his team put together a 157-17-1 record.
In 2011-12, Stobs guided the Bucs to their fourth straight NCAA national finals, where they finished sixth in stroke play before bowing out in the match play quarterfinals in Louisville. Barry won the Shark Invitational, Bobcat Intercollegiate and Buccaneer Invitational. The Bucs also had five runner-up finishes. Daniel Stapff, Marcus Segerstrom and Marcelo Huarte all received GCAA All-America honors. Stapff became the school's all-time tournament wins leader with four, was a First-Team Academic All-American and the NCAA Elite 89 winner given to the men's golfer with the highest grade point average at the NCAA Championships.
In 2010-11, Stobs coached the Buccaneers to the national tournament. Barry finished first in the Buccaneer Invitational, and finished in the top 10 in their 10 remaining tournaments, including runner-ups in the St. Edward’s Invitational, the 2011 Southeastern Intercollegiate, the Bobcat Invitational (tie), the 2011 SSC Championship and the 2011 South Region Tournament.
In 2009-10, the Bucs appeared in the national tournament for the second year in a row and the third time in four seasons. The Bucs won the Aflac/Cougar Invitational, the Shark Invitational and the Buccaneer Invitational -- the last two marking the third in a row at each event for the program.
After finishing as the runner-up in the 2010 SSC tournament, the Bucs ripped through the South/Southeast Super Regional to win their first regional title. Barry fired a combined 845 (283-281-281) to win the tournament. After a slow start at the national championships, the Bucs played solid golf the rest of the tournament to finish fourth. Stobs earned his second South Region Coach of the Year honor, while Chris Carlin earned First-Team All-American honors, and Victor Billskoog was a Second-Team All-American selection. Carlin, along with teammates Carlos Velez and Guillermo Pumarol, earned Scholar All-American honors, while Stapff was named the Barry Scholar-Athlete of the Year, SSC Scholar-Athlete of the Year, and the NCAA Elite 88 winner for DII Men's Golf.
In 2008-09 Stobs led the Bucs to first place finishes at the Shark Invitational in the fall, and the Panther Invitational and the Buccaneer Invitational in the spring. Barry earned a second-place finish at the SSC Tournament. The Bucs placed third at the NCAA South Regional. At the NCAA Championships, the Bucs placed fourth.
In 2007-08, Stobs guided the Bucs to a 94-49-5 overall tournament record, and led the team to tournament wins at the Shark Invitational in the fall and the Buccaneer Invitational in the spring. Barry finished third at the SSC Tournament and advanced to the South Regional for the fifth consecutive year. The season was not without its success as sophomores Billskoog and Velez received Second-Team All-SSC and GCAA All-South Region honors. Billskoog also added a GCAA Honorable Mention All-America nod to his resume.
In 2007, Stobs was named GCAA National Coach of the Year after leading the Buccaneers to an unprecedented 121-35-5 tournament record and the 2007 NCAA Division II national title -- the first in program history. The Buccaneers finished in the top 10 in all 12 of their tournaments with nine top five finishes, five second-place finishes and the national championship, which they captured at The Meadows in Allendale.
Hernan Borja became the first player in school history to earn First-Team GCAA All-America honors, while fellow seniors Nick Gillaspy and Juan Weissenberg earned GCAA Honorable Mention All-America. Hernan Borja also earned All-SSC and SSC All-Tournament honors, while Gillaspy was selected to the All-SSC team and Weissenberg to the SSC All-Tournament team. Weissenberg was also the first men’s golfer to earn both All-America and All-America Scholar honors in the same season.
In 2005-06, the Buccaneers finished with a 135-99-3 tournament record and reached the NCAA South/South Central Super Regional for the third consecutive year. Stobs’ team also finished fifth at the SSC tournament. Borja placed fourth at the tournament to receive SSC All-Tournament honors. Billskoog, the Bucs’ top newcomer, led the team with a 74.32 stroke average, and was named SSC Freshman of the Year.
In 2004-05, Stobs guided the young Buccaneer team to a 94-53-4 record in tournament play. The Bucs made their second consecutive appearance in the NCAA Super Regional, finishing fourth out of eight teams. In addition, the team led all Division II schools in the total short game statistical category as ranked by Golfstat. The Buccaneers narrowly missed out on a second appearance at the national tournament, but the season did not end without its success. Adam Enright earned GCAA Scholar All-America honors to become the first in program history.
During the 2003-04 season, Stobs brought the program to the forefront by guiding the Bucs to a second place finish at the SSC tournament -- the best finish in program history. John Quigley placed fourth at the tournament, and was selected to the SSC All-Tournament team. Both Quigley and Ryan Lamond earned their first All-SSC honors.
The Bucs went on to receive their second bid to participate in the NCAA Regional, where they finished second. Their efforts at the Super Regional in Springfield, Mo., earned them a spot at the national tournament for the first time in school history. The Bucs finished third in the nation, just 10 strokes behind national champion South Carolina-Aiken. Lamond finished tied for 10th, and became the first men’s golfer in Barry history to earn GCAA All-America honors. Stobs guided the Bucs to a 130-38 overall record in 2003-04. He was named South Region Coach of the Year.
Stobs also kept his team actively involved in the local community. He and his team participated in Barry’s first home building with Habitat for Humanity as well as reading at the local elementary schools and more. For their efforts, Stobs and the men’s golf team earned the Sister Jeanne O’Laughlin Community Service Award.
In 2002-03, he guided the Barry team to a 42-59-2 overall record and a fourth-place finish at the SSC Tournament. Under Stobs’ direction, Quigley made a mark in Barry history, becoming the first Buccaneer men’s player to earn an individual bid to the NCAA Division II South Region Tournament.
Stobs joined the Barry staff in 2002 after 10 years playing professional golf. He played on several different tours, including the Nike (1997), Golden Bear, South American, Montgomery, South Florida and Trans-Act Mortgage tours. Throughout his 10-year professional career, Stobs enjoyed much success, winning 25 mini-tour events, including the 1998 Florida Open.
A graduate of Florida Atlantic with a bachelor’s degree in communications, Stobs played for the Owls in 1991-92 under Mary Mills. He was part of a squad which won four straight tournaments and finished fourth in the NCAA Division II national tournament, earning the team’s sportsmanship award. He also played for Georgia Southern University from 1987-90.
Stobs is an active member of the GCAA, and serves as one of two Division II coaches on the GCAA National Board of Directors. In the summer of 2008, Stobs was selected as the head coach for the 2008 USA team that competed in the Fuji/Xerox championship in Tokyo, Japan, and helped Team USA take back the title in the annual event. In 2015, he coached the USA to a fourth place finish at the Toyota Junior World Golf Cup in Japan.
Stobs has also served on several regional and national committees throughout his career at Barry. In 2008, he served on the GCAA International Team Selection Committee and the Jack Nicklaus Award Committee. Stobs has been a part of the GCAA All-America and All-Freshman committee since 2005, serving as chairman in 2008, and has served on the NCAA South Region selection committee since 2006. He currently serves on the David Toms Award Committee, given to the collegiate golfer who overcomes adversity.
Stobs, a native of Miami, began his coaching career at Miami Country Day School in 1994. He is married to the former Carrie Santis of Miami. His parents are Robert and Martha Stobs of Miami.
