Former Northwestern standout Sam Chien will begin his second season as an assistant coach with the Wildcats' men's golf program in 2024-25. A 2012 graduate of Northwetstern, Chien was a four-year letterwinner during his playing career with the 'Cats.
"I am very excited to welcome Sam Chien back to Northwestern," Northwestern Director of Golf and Player Development Pat Goss commented. "When we had the opportunity to hire an additional assistant coach, Sam was the first person I contacted. I loved coaching Sam and know he will make an immediate impact on our program and players. He has an infectious energy, along with a love for the game and Northwestern."
"I'm thrilled to welcome Sam back to Northwestern to join our staff," Northwestern head men's golf coach David Inglis said. "He represents everything you look for in a coach. Through his experiences as a college player, professional golfer, and teacher, Sam will be a tremendous resource for our players."
Chien enjoyed a wildly successful stay in Evanston as a student-athlete from 2008-12, posting a 74.42 stroke average across 84 career rounds. The San Diego, Calif. native appeared in three NCAA Championships, helping the 'Cats to berths in the NCAA Finals in 2009 and 2011. As a senior, Chien fired a one-under-par 287 (72-73-73-69) at the 2012 Big Ten Championships, taking home a runner-up finish and a spot on the All-Tournament Team.
A two-time Big Ten Golfer of the Week honoree, Chien boasts the fourth lowest individual 18-hole effort in program history, tallied in the final round of the 2009 Navy Fall Classic when he carded a seven-under-par 64 en route to securing individual medalist honors.
"I'm very fortunate to be an assistant coach under Pat and David," Chien stated. "Their influence on my game during my time at Northwestern as a student-athlete helped shape the way I understand and coach the game of golf. I bleed purple, love Northwestern, and I am so excited to begin my college coaching career here. We have a great group and I am looking forward to getting to work with the players and achieve our goals."
Following graduation, Chien embarked on an 11-year playing career as a professional. He was victorious at the 2014 Buick Open on the PGA China Tour, leading wire-to-wire, before earning a runner-up finish at the 2016 Resorts World Manila Masters to begin a five-year stint on the Asian Tour. Chien, who earned Korn Ferry Tour status in 2015, playing in 14 events, also served as a caddy on the DP World Tour and PGA Tour for portions of both 2022 and 2023.
"Sam's passion for golf and player improvement is evident, and this is something that will be invaluable for our players," Goss concluded. "His experience as a successful Northwestern student-athlete, coupled with his time as a professional, give him a wide breadth of valuable expertise. Northwestern Golf is lucky to have Sam back in Evanston wearing purple."
Chien, who also served as an instructor at the PGA San Diego Golf Academy, was a three-time Academic All-Big Ten selection during his first stint with the 'Cats. As a senior, he was named a recipient of the conference's Outstanding Sportsmanship Award.
"I am very excited to welcome Sam Chien back to Northwestern," Northwestern Director of Golf and Player Development Pat Goss commented. "When we had the opportunity to hire an additional assistant coach, Sam was the first person I contacted. I loved coaching Sam and know he will make an immediate impact on our program and players. He has an infectious energy, along with a love for the game and Northwestern."
"I'm thrilled to welcome Sam back to Northwestern to join our staff," Northwestern head men's golf coach David Inglis said. "He represents everything you look for in a coach. Through his experiences as a college player, professional golfer, and teacher, Sam will be a tremendous resource for our players."
Chien enjoyed a wildly successful stay in Evanston as a student-athlete from 2008-12, posting a 74.42 stroke average across 84 career rounds. The San Diego, Calif. native appeared in three NCAA Championships, helping the 'Cats to berths in the NCAA Finals in 2009 and 2011. As a senior, Chien fired a one-under-par 287 (72-73-73-69) at the 2012 Big Ten Championships, taking home a runner-up finish and a spot on the All-Tournament Team.
A two-time Big Ten Golfer of the Week honoree, Chien boasts the fourth lowest individual 18-hole effort in program history, tallied in the final round of the 2009 Navy Fall Classic when he carded a seven-under-par 64 en route to securing individual medalist honors.
"I'm very fortunate to be an assistant coach under Pat and David," Chien stated. "Their influence on my game during my time at Northwestern as a student-athlete helped shape the way I understand and coach the game of golf. I bleed purple, love Northwestern, and I am so excited to begin my college coaching career here. We have a great group and I am looking forward to getting to work with the players and achieve our goals."
Following graduation, Chien embarked on an 11-year playing career as a professional. He was victorious at the 2014 Buick Open on the PGA China Tour, leading wire-to-wire, before earning a runner-up finish at the 2016 Resorts World Manila Masters to begin a five-year stint on the Asian Tour. Chien, who earned Korn Ferry Tour status in 2015, playing in 14 events, also served as a caddy on the DP World Tour and PGA Tour for portions of both 2022 and 2023.
"Sam's passion for golf and player improvement is evident, and this is something that will be invaluable for our players," Goss concluded. "His experience as a successful Northwestern student-athlete, coupled with his time as a professional, give him a wide breadth of valuable expertise. Northwestern Golf is lucky to have Sam back in Evanston wearing purple."
Chien, who also served as an instructor at the PGA San Diego Golf Academy, was a three-time Academic All-Big Ten selection during his first stint with the 'Cats. As a senior, he was named a recipient of the conference's Outstanding Sportsmanship Award.