Oklahoma Golf Coaches Association - HOF

Hall of Fame Class of 2024 Inductees

Mike Gowans - Purcell Jack Hopkins - Muskogee (Legacy) Vickie Hughes - Union/Jenks John Kitchens - Lawton MacArthur

Rick Leath - Edmond Public Schools

Mike Gowans - Purcell

Mike began coaching the golf programs in Purcell in 2004. After 20 years leading the program, he is still coaching. Coach Gowans has been one of the most successful coaches of his generation winning 17 Conference, 11 Regional, and 7 State Championships during his career. The Purcell golf teams have won 75 tournaments and Mike has been named Conference, Region, State, and NFHS COY on numerous occasions. Mike has hosted numerous playoff events and served on the OSSAA Golf Advisory Board. He even designed nine holes of the Brent Burell Memorial Golf Course where he has served as Head Professional since 1992.

Interesting facts – Coach Gowans played 4 years of college football while attending Northwestern Oklahoma State University.

Jack Hopkins - Muskogee (Legacy)

Coach Hopkins lead the Muskogee Roughers golf program for 16 years from 1963 to 1979. During his tenure, Coach and his team filled the trophy cases. Together they won 6 Regional, 8 Conference, and 5 State Championships. Jack was named the District golf COY 6 times. During one streak of Coach Hopkins career, his teams won 33 straight tournaments. Coach Hopkins was also a very successful basketball coach, earning the All-State Coach position in 1951 after leading his team to the State Championship game.

Interesting facts - Coach Hopkins survived the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941.

Vicki Hughes - Union/Jenks

Vicki started coaching golf in 1998 at Muskogee High School, followed by stops at Union HS and Jenks HS. In total she coached Girls Golf for 25 years. During her time leading golf teams, Vicki was named OCA Region COY 5 times, OCA COY 2 times, and the NFHS COY in 2023. Vicki has served on our OKGCA for nearly 2 decades as well as the OCA All State Chairman 8 years. Her teams won more than most. During her career, Coach Hughes teams totaled 16 Regional and 6 State Championships.

Interesting facts - Vicki was a player on the National Championship Basketball team while in college at Conners State

John Kitchens - Lawton MacArthur

Coach Kitchens spent over 40 years coaching during his career, all at MacArthur High School in Lawton. During that time, he routinely coached his teams into the State Championship. His best season came during the 2001 school year where his Highlanders claimed the 5A State Championship. John was the West Side All State coach in 1994. While his coaching on the course is undeniable, his ultimate legacy may be the OKGCA. As a founding member and Treasurer for over 20 years, John laid the foundation making high school golf what it is today. He was a servant leader who gave his time to his community and his sport.

Interesting facts - Coach Kitchens was drafted into the Army after high school and served in Vietnam.

Rick Leath - Edmond Public Schools

Coach Leath coached golf at Edmond Memorial from 1986-2006 or 21 years. It started with a 3-year stint as the girls coach that saw his teams win all 3 Regional Championships they played. In 1989, Coach Leath took over the boy’s program and proceeded to win the next 6 Regional and 5 State Championships. His teams won approximately 75 tournaments during his time at the helm. Rick was named the 1992 All State Coach, won numerous Regional Coach of the Year awards, and was the 1994 National Golf Coach of the Year.

Interesting facts - Coach Leath was the 2006 recipient of the Bill Nicklas Award for his work and with and support of the Bill Nicklas Memorial Junior Golf Foundation.