Head Coach Paul Smolinski

Paul Smolinski is in his 14th year as head coach of the UC Irvine men's golf team, joining the Anteater program in July 1998.

He has led UCI to Big West Conference titles in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2007, 2008 and 2010. Smolinski's UCI teams have advanced to NCAA regional play nine of the past 11 years and he guided UCI to NCAA Division I Championship appearances in 2001 and 2008.

Smolinski is a league-record, seven-time Big West Conference Coach of the Year, earning the award in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2010. Over the past 10 seasons, 36 of his Anteater players have earned all-conference distinction.

At UCI, Smolinski coached John Chin, who in 2009-10 became the Anteaters' first Division I All-American. Chin also won the Golfstat Cup, was named to the All-Nicklaus Team and competed for the U.S. on the Palmer Cup team.

An Orange County native, Smolinski has been working in the golf business since 1989. He began his career at Mission Viejo Country Club, where he worked as an assistant professional for five years. He then worked at the Coto de Caza Golf Club as an assistant professional for two years while completing his PGA apprenticeship. Smolinski became a class "A" member of the PGA of America in 1996 and soon after was promoted to head golf professional at Coto de Caza. He served in that capacity for two years before accepting the position of head golf coach at UC Irvine. He also served on the Metro Chapter Board of Directors of the Southern California Section from 1996 through 1998.

In 1997, Smolinski qualified for the Western Regional PGA Club Professional Championship and represented Coto de Caza and the Southern California section at Painted Dunes Golf Club in El Paso, Tex. That same year he was runner-up in the Metro Chapter match play championship winning five matches against Orange County club professionals.

In addition to his coaching duties, Smolinski directs the UC Irvine Junior Golf Program in July and August. The program develops golfers from seven to 17 years old and has averaged more than 100 participants per year.

Smolinski and his wife, Lesli, have a daughter, Bailey, and twin sons, Brad and John. They reside in Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.

The Smolinski File

• Big West Coach of the Year, 2010, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2003, 2002, 2001
• Six Big West Conference championship
• Head professional, Coto de Caza
• Metro Chapter Board of Directors, Southern California Section, 1996-98

Contact Coach Smolinski

Email: psmolins@uci.edu | Phone: 949-824-1097

Assistant Coach Jim Shufelt

Contact Coach Shufelt

Email: jshufelt@uci.edu | Phone: 949-824-1097