As a 1989 graduate of the University of Hartford and a former member of the men’s golf team, Pete Stankevich has seen firsthand what it takes to build the program into a national power. Now entering his third year as the head coach of the Hawks, Stankevich has the squad once again ready to make an impact.
Stankevich, who was named the head coach of the Hartford men’s golf team in June, 2008, returned to his alma mater, where he was a successful collegiate athlete. One of five team members to represent the Hawks at the 1988 NCAA Division I Championships, Stankevich contributed to several key victories for the team, including the New England Golf Championship and the NCAA Division I District 1 Championship. At the 1988 Championships, Stankevich placed fifth in the NCAA Long Drive Championship, finishing ahead of several future PGA Tour Players. Stankevich made his mark on the 1987-88 team as well, the only Hartford squad to feature PGA Tour players Jerry Kelly, Tim Petrovic and Patrick Sheehan.
After graduating from Hartford with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree, majoring in Economics and Finance, Stankevich turned pro in 1989 and competed in tournaments while working as a golf professional at various clubs such as Bear Lakes Country Club in West Palm Beach, Fla., Wampanoag Country Club, Clinton Country Club, Glastonbury Hills Country Club and Elmridge Golf Club. By 1993, Stankevich was elected to PGA Membership as a Class A member.
Stankevich, who was born in Hartford and raised in Wethersfield, Conn., returned to the University to study for his Masters degree. He earned a Master of Arts in Economics in September, 1995, writing a thesis titled “The Economics of Golf Course Development.”
With a keen interest in golf course design and architecture, Stankevich was brought on as a design assistant for British golf course architect Roy Case, where he was given opportunities to contribute to several design projects. Over the past 10 years, he has done a considerable amount of independent golf course design work, from original designs and master plans to consulting on various golf course projects.
In 1997, Stankevich was brought on as a teaching professional for Golf Quest Family Sports Center in Brookfield, Conn. Shortly thereafter, he was named the Head Golf Professional and Director of Instruction. Over the past 13 years, Stankevich has helped build Golf Quest Academy into one of the top golf academies in the Northeast, seeing it voted in the top 100 driving ranges/practice facilities in the United States every year by Golf Range Magazine. It was voted “Best in Connecticut” by CTGolfer.com since the inception of the website’s online poll.
As he continues to show himself to be one of the top three instructors in the state (as named by CTGolfer.com), Stankevich has brought that work ethic back to his alma mater, helping several of his student-athletes earn high praise since he became the head coach prior to the 2008-09 season. Under Stankevich, Hartford has produced three All-New England selections, two PING All-Region Selections, the 2008-09 America Sky Conference Individual Champion (Brian Albertazzi), the 2010 New England Division I Individual Champion (Maki Kobayashi), a two-time Vermont Amateur Champion (Albertazzi), the 2010 New Hampshire Amateur Champion (Nick MacDonald) and a USGA Amateur Championship Qualifier (MacDonald).
Stankevich, who competed at Wethersfield High School for the legendary coach Rod Cyr, will be inducted into the Wethersfield High School Athletic Hall of Fame alongside his former coach in October, 2010.
Stankevich currently resides in Woodbury, Conn. with his wife, Leslie, and their three-year-old son Durkin.
