Andrew Danna, far left, poses with his team and their 2015 national runners-up trophies. Photos courtesy Lynn University
Golf coach from Baton Rouge is winning game after game in Boca Raton
Age: 32 Here: Professional golfer and instructor There:Head men’s golf coach at Lynn University
Why did you decide to move to Boca Raton? I moved to Boca about three years ago for my job here at Lynn University. I had visited South Florida before I moved here but never the Boca area.
How did you land the job as head coach of the Fighting Knights men’s golf team at Lynn University? I previously coached the men’s golf team at Georgia Southwestern State University for two years prior to Lynn. We accomplished some great things at Georgia Southwestern, which ultimately led to me being able to pursue an opportunity here at Lynn. Lynn University has a great history for athletics, and especially men’s golf, so it was not an opportunity I could pass up.
How did growing up in Baton Rouge help you on your career path to head coach of a top golf team? I really believe growing up in Baton Rouge—especially in a community that has such great golf—I was able to forge some great relationships that have helped me get to where I am today.
What’s a typical day like at your job? During our season, it starts with team fitness early in the morning followed by administrative work in the office before lunch. The afternoon is usually practice with the team.
Your accomplishments at Lynn have been impressive, including finishing second place in the NCAA Division II both this year and 2013. What’s been your proudest moment? After each tough loss, including heartbreaking defeats at the NCAA Championships, watching my guys respond to adversity. It says a lot about a person or a team how they choose to respond to difficult situations in life. So I would have to say having our guys get back to the NCAA Final in such a short time would have to be my proudest moment. We have four of our five All-Americans this year coming back next year so I’m sure they will be up for the challenge again.
Since your arrival at Lynn, the men’s golf team has had nine tournament victories overall. What challenges did you and your team have to overcome to make this happen? Despite having a lot of success early on, I don’t think our team functioned or played on a consistent basis all that well a few years ago. We have a very detailed system in place in how we do things in our program. Everyone kind of holds everyone accountable, players and coaches alike. I always tell our guys: in college golf, the team that performs at a high level, limits their mistakes and pays attention to detail usually comes out on top in the end.
Where’s the best place to play golf in South Florida? And how about in Baton Rouge? My favorite course has to be Crandon Park down in Key Biscayne, Florida. Baton Rouge has so many great places to play. The University Club is the toughest, but in my opinion, Santa Maria has the best course layout in the city. It’s a public course owned by the city, so anyone can get out there and play.
What’s the best thing about living in Boca? The worst? The best thing about Boca is the beach and the weather. The traffic on I-95 is by far the worst. I’ve spent years now learning how to avoid it.
When a friend from Baton Rouge comes to visit Boca, where’s the first place you take them? I take them to Atlantic Avenue in Delray Beach. It’s a great spot on the water and down the street from my house.
What do you miss most about Baton Rouge? What don’t you miss? I miss my family and friends the most, but lately being home trying to help my older brother with his golf game! I don’t miss the traffic and driving on our roads in BR.
How often do you visit Baton Rouge? What are your must-dos when you come back in town? I usually make it home five or six times a year. I try to come back as much as possible, or at least as much as my career allows. I have to say coming home at least once during football season is a must. There’s nothing like a Saturday night in Death Valley. Another must-do is seeing my mom.
