Hall of Fame
Texas Wesleyan University Men’s Golf is the most storied men’s golf program in the NAIA. The Rams have won six national titles, a record 10 NAIA Runner-Up finishes and 51 top-10 national finishes. Robert Wood, was at the forefront of what has become an incredible dynasty. Wood played at Texas Wesleyan from 1958-1962, helping the program to two NAIA Runner-up finishes in 1961 and 1962 as the Rams built toward their first title in 1964.
Wood played for head coach O.D. Bounds, a legend in the golf community who is known as the father of NAIA golf and was the first person inducted to the Texas Wesleyan Athletic Hall of Fame. Coach Bounds had the respect of the golfing world and was able to gain entry into numerous major collegiate tournaments in which players like Wood could flourish amongst the best collegiate golfers in the country.
Although the NAIA did not begin awarding the All-America title until 1962, using the guidelines established that year, Wood’s performance would have qualified him in 1959, 1960, and 1961. His teams won four consecutive Big State Conference Championships, a District IV Championship, and three wins at the Abilene Intercollegiate.
The Rams’ current head coach and fellow Texas Wesleyan Athletic Hall of Fame member Bobby Cornet called Wood a foundational building block for the Texas Wesleyan Golf program. “Playing for the legendary O.D. Bounds, they both set the bar high for the future which now includes 206 tournament wins and 88 All-American players,” Cornett said. “Without this commitment to excellence in the beginning by people like Robert and Coach Bounds, there would be no legacy to talk about.”
Wood also played basketball at Texas Wesleyan during the 1958-59 season, helping the team to a record of 19-7 and yet another Big State Conference Championship.
