Wake Forest Athletics
Bill Haas
Photo by: USA Today Sports Images
Bill Haas Relishes Every Return to Wake Forest
11/9/2019 9:31:00 AM | Men's Golf, Les Johns
The family connection is strong, of course, but the enduring sense of belonging to the Wake Forest community continues to repeatedly drive former Demon Deacon golfer Bill Haas back to Winston-Salem.
Haas joined a host of alumni recently at Old Town Golf Club to participate in the Wake Forest Pro-Am Golf event.
"I think all of us alumni enjoy coming back, seeing campus and seeing coach (Jerry) Haas," Bill Haas said. "It's important to the team. I wish I were able to get back here more often."
Haas, who lives in Greenville, South Carolina, was one of the top golfers in the country during his career at Wake Forest, earning ACC Player of the Year honors twice as well as national golfer of the year in his senior season in 2004.
"I've got three young kids and we live about two-and-a-half hours away, so we don't get up here as often as we'd like," Haas said. "I plan on spending more time up here as my boys get older, so I can see more of the old stomping grounds."
Haas has six career PGA Tour victories, along with five second-place finishes, five third-place finishes and 57 top-10 finishes. He won the FedEx Cup in 2011 and claimed the 2016 Presidents Cup win for the United States, on a team which was captained by his father Jay.
The investment in facilities at Wake Forest is evident not only at the Arnold Palmer Golf Complex, but also in the group of buildings now rising up behind it — McCreary Football Field House, the Sutton Sports Performance Center and the Shah Basketball Complex.
"Every university is realizing you have to upgrade the sports complexes and facilities," Haas said. "Wake has done an amazing job. The range on campus is unique and a great recruiting tool. I loved having it, and it's now 10-fold what it was when I was in school.
"It's great for the golf programs. I'm happy just to come back, show my support and keep it growing."
Haas, of course, is a second-generation Demon Deacon, with his father Jay and uncle Jerry making their mark in the Old Gold & Black before his arrival. He tracks the current team closely.
"I try to stay in touch as much as I can," he said. "I track every tournament I can, and see how the team is doing. All the young players certainly have pro aspirations. I don't think they need help from me, but I'm happy to give them guidance whenever I can. Hopefully they can make it on the PGA Tour someday. I think it's been proven you can come to this school and then succeed at the next level."
From the banquet the night before to the scramble event, Haas relished every moment at Old Town Club spent with alumni, boosters and fans.
"I love interacting with donors and people who support the golf program and Wake Forest in general," he said. "Also, just seeing some of the young players, coach Haas and some of the players I went to school with. This is somewhat of an alumni homecoming.
"It's nice to be back and I love being here."
Haas joined a host of alumni recently at Old Town Golf Club to participate in the Wake Forest Pro-Am Golf event.
"I think all of us alumni enjoy coming back, seeing campus and seeing coach (Jerry) Haas," Bill Haas said. "It's important to the team. I wish I were able to get back here more often."
Haas, who lives in Greenville, South Carolina, was one of the top golfers in the country during his career at Wake Forest, earning ACC Player of the Year honors twice as well as national golfer of the year in his senior season in 2004.
"I've got three young kids and we live about two-and-a-half hours away, so we don't get up here as often as we'd like," Haas said. "I plan on spending more time up here as my boys get older, so I can see more of the old stomping grounds."
Haas has six career PGA Tour victories, along with five second-place finishes, five third-place finishes and 57 top-10 finishes. He won the FedEx Cup in 2011 and claimed the 2016 Presidents Cup win for the United States, on a team which was captained by his father Jay.
The investment in facilities at Wake Forest is evident not only at the Arnold Palmer Golf Complex, but also in the group of buildings now rising up behind it — McCreary Football Field House, the Sutton Sports Performance Center and the Shah Basketball Complex.
"Every university is realizing you have to upgrade the sports complexes and facilities," Haas said. "Wake has done an amazing job. The range on campus is unique and a great recruiting tool. I loved having it, and it's now 10-fold what it was when I was in school.
"It's great for the golf programs. I'm happy just to come back, show my support and keep it growing."
Haas, of course, is a second-generation Demon Deacon, with his father Jay and uncle Jerry making their mark in the Old Gold & Black before his arrival. He tracks the current team closely.
"I try to stay in touch as much as I can," he said. "I track every tournament I can, and see how the team is doing. All the young players certainly have pro aspirations. I don't think they need help from me, but I'm happy to give them guidance whenever I can. Hopefully they can make it on the PGA Tour someday. I think it's been proven you can come to this school and then succeed at the next level."
From the banquet the night before to the scramble event, Haas relished every moment at Old Town Club spent with alumni, boosters and fans.
"I love interacting with donors and people who support the golf program and Wake Forest in general," he said. "Also, just seeing some of the young players, coach Haas and some of the players I went to school with. This is somewhat of an alumni homecoming.
"It's nice to be back and I love being here."
Spring Camp Media Availability (4/14/26) | Wake Forest Football
Tuesday, April 14
Spring Camp Media Availability (4/11/26) | Wake Forest Football
Saturday, April 11
Spring Camp Media Availability (4/9/26) | Wake Forest Football
Thursday, April 09
Spring Camp Media Availability (4/7/26) | Wake Forest Football
Tuesday, April 07