Two-Time Turner College Alum Now at Top of Collegiate Golf World

One wonders whether Cape Town, South Africa, native Steven Paine had any inkling as to where his path would lead as he journeyed to America to play collegiate golf. During his four seasons on the CSU men's golf team, the Cougars would reach the NCAA tournament twice, finishing third on the first occasion. Steven would earn Honorable Mention All-American and Freshman All-American status in his first year on campus and would go on to finish among the top 10 golfers in several multi-team matches over his four years. He also earned a BBA in finance from the Turner College in 2012. From there he became a graduate assistant for the team, earning an MBA from the Turner College in the process. After his assistantship ended, Steven accepted a position as Divisional Analyst with Aflac. However, as with most golfing enthusiasts, the pull of the sport remained strong. When Point University offered Steven the head coaching position, he accepted and served in that role for the next six and a half years. Steven was a highly decorated coach at Point, being named a finalist to lead the United States team at the 2020 Arnold Palmer Cup and for the NAIA’s Dave Williams Award the same year. During his tenure at Point, Steven's teams totaled 23 tournament championships, including nine consecutive titles prior to his departure. He led Point to its first Appalachian Athletic Conference team title in 2017 and followed with titles in each of the next two seasons. Steven was named the conference’s Coach of the Year in all three campaigns. In 2020, he led the Skyhawks to a No. 1 national ranking, and he took the program to three NAIA National Championship tournaments in his tenure.

In January of 2020, Steven accepted an offer to become an assistant men's golf coach at Mississippi State University. During his first months with the Maroon and White, he helped lead the Bulldogs to their 12th NCAA Regional appearance. Shortly after the 2022 season, Steven was offered the dual position of head men's golf coach and Director of Golf at Augusta University, a national powerhouse is men's golf, having won both the 2010 and 2011 NCAA Championships. Under Paine's leadership, August has won two consecutive Southland Conference Championships (2023 and 2024) and reached the NCAA Regionals each time, with last year's team participating at the regional hosted by Auburn University. Turner Business wishes Steven success at this year's regional tournament and will be keeping an eye on his progress in the months and years to come.