Wake Forest Sports Hall of Fame
- Induction:
- 1980
Haddock molded, prodded, promoted, and guided the golf program at Wake Forest University into one of the elite programs in the nation. The term "legendary head coach" has been used so often in connection with him that the words almost seem a part of his name.
The resume includes three NCAA national championships, 15 Atlantic Coast Conference titles, 65 individual All-Americans, three NCAA individual champions, 17 ACC individual medalists, and numerous tournament team championships. These are the definite achievements of Demon Deacon golf under Haddock. His impact on his school and upon the lives of the many young men he has tutored goes beyond even these honors and accomplishments. Known as a master recruiter and motivator, he has developed such a strong bond with his players that many of his touring pros return each year to play in a Pro-Am to support the Wake Forest program and to help continue the Deacon golf tradition.
Haddock first came to Wake Forest as a student in 1944. He left briefly for a stint in the military but returned in 1947 to resume his studies. He served the athletic program in a variety of capacities as an undergraduate and continued on a full-time basis after earning his degree in 1952. He was appointed golf coach in 1960. He replaced Bones McKinney, who gave up the job to concentrate on his other position, basketball coach.
With the support of former classmate Arnold Palmer, Haddock began to build his program through his establishment of the Buddy Worsham Scholarship in 1960. Three years later, he directed the Deacs to the ACC championship. From 1967 through 1976, Wake won 10 consecutive league crowns, then added three more in a row from 1978-80. That period also included NCAA titles in 1974 and 1975, when Haddock earned national Coach of the Year recognition. He has earned ACC Coach of the Year acclaim three times - in 1980, 1986 and 1989.
In 1980, he was inducted into the Wake Forest Sports Hall of Fame for his dedication in leading Deacon golfers to success.
