Bio

Russell Grove is in his ninth year as the head coach of the NIC golf program for both the men's and women's teams. Grove is a Class A PGA Professional in the Pacific Northwest Section and has been a golf instructor for over 15 years. Grove attended Coeur d'Alene High School where he helped the Vikings win a 5A State Golf Championship in 2004 and graduated with valedictorian honors. He received a golf scholarship to the University of Idaho where he served as a team captain and led the Vandals to their best finish in history of the Western Athletic Conference at the time Grove was a three-time recipient of the WAC Scholar Athlete Award and a three-time selection on the WAC Academic All-Conference team. At the Univeristy of Idaho, Grove (at the time) set the 36-hole and 54-hole records with scores of 131 and 203, respectively. In addition, he tied the UI course record with a score of 62.

Grove turned professional in 2009 after he graduated from UI and has numerous professional wins and top finishes.  He most recently qualified and played in the second major of the year the 2023 PGA Championship at Oak Hill CC in Rochester, NY.  

Grove coached the NIC women’s team to the NWAC championship title in 2016 and the NIC men’s team to the NWAC championship title in 2017, 2018, 2019, (2020 and 2021 cancelled due to covid) 2022, and 2023 (retaining a 226 win to 11 loss conference record during those years). Grove won the NWAC Coach of the year award in 2017-2018, 2021-2022 and 2022-2023.  NIC received the Team of the Year award for the 2016-2017 and 2018-2019 seasons. Grove recently coached the men’s team to an undefeated season during 2020-2021 and undefeated in conference play in 2022-2023.  Under Grove the team has also won the Ace Walden Academic Excellence Award. 

The Avondale Golf Club, in Hayden, Idaho, is the Cardinal's home course. 

Notable Recent Tournament Finishes for Grove:  

• Winner 2022 Montana Open at Larchmont GC (68-69-66) {13 under par} 
• Winner 2023 Paddler Invitational (69-69) at Kalispel Golf and CC {6 under par} 
• Winner 2017 Oregon Open at Juniper Hills GC (67-65-71) {13 under par} 
• Winner 2017 Pacific Northwest PGA Section Championship at Circling Raven GC (67-67-67) {15 under par} 
•  Winner 2018 Pacific Northwest PGA Section Championship at Meadow Springs GC (67-72-71) {6 under par} 
• T 2nd place 2019 Pacific Northwest PGA Section Championship at Indian Summer GC (68-68-68) {12 under par} 
•  2nd place 2019 Montana Open at Larchmont GC (67-69-64) {16 under par} 
• 2nd place 2020 Montana Open at Larchmont GC (71-63-69) {13 under par} 
• 2nd place 2018 Northwest Open at Wine Valley GC (65-69-67) {15 under par} 
• 2nd place 2017 Rosauers Open at Indian Canyon GC (66-66-65) {16 under par} 
• 2nd place 2017 Montana Open at Larchmont GC (72-65-66) {13 under par} 
• 3rd place 2018 Montana Open at Larchmont GC (69-68-68) {11 under par} 
• T 4th place 2018 Oregon Open at Aspen Lakes GC (68-72-75) {1 under par} 
• T 5th place 2022 Pacific Northwest PGA Section Championship at Manito CC (69-67-69) {8 under par} 
• T 5th place 2020 Pacific Northwest PGA Section Championship at Canyon River GC (68-68-68) {12 under par} 
• T 6th place 2019 Washington Open at Emerald Valley GC (69-69-71) {7 under par} 
• T 8th place 2018 Rosauers Open at Indian Canyon (66-68-70) {9 under par} 
• T 8th place 2021 Pacific Northwest PGA Section Championship at Arrowhead GC (69-69-70) {5 under par} 
• T 8th place 2019 Northwest Open Invitational at Wine Valley GC (71-71-70) {4 under par} 
• T 9th place 2021 Northwest Open Invitational at Wine Valley GC (65-74-70) {7 under par} 
• T 9^th place 2023 Rosauers Open Invitational at Indian Canyon GC (73-63-66) {11 under par} 
• T11th place 2021 Oregon Open at Black Butte Ranch GC (70-70-71) {5 under par} 
• T11th place 2022 Washington Open at Meridian Valley GC (72-69-71) {4 under par} 
• 11th place 2019 Arizona Open at Superstition Mountain CC (74-67-67) {8 under par} 
• T11th 2023 PGA Professional Championship at Twin Warriors GC (72-71-76-66)* 
• • Gained birth into 2023 PGA Championship at Oak Hill CC in Rochester, NY
• 2017 Made the 54 hole cut at the PGA Professional Championship at Crosswater GC 
• 2018 Made the 54 hole cut at the PGA Professional Championship at Bayonet and Black Horse 
• 2019 Made the 54 hole cut at the PGA Professional Championship at Belfair GC 
• 2021 Made the 54 hole cut at the PGA Professional Championship at Wanamaker GC 
• 2023 Made the 54 hole cut at the PGA Professional Championship at Twin Warriors GC 
• 2017, 2018, 2019 Received the Omega Player of the Year Award for the Pacific Northwest PGA 

The Avondale Golf Club, in Hayden, Idaho, is the Cardinal's home course. The program also uses The Highlands GC and The Links GC as practice and playing facilities.