One of the top amateur golfers in New England, Charlie Blanchard has been named the new head coach of the Bryant University men’s golf program.  Blanchard will take over for Archie Boulet who retired this past spring after a remarkable 47 year career.

“We are very excited to name Charlie as the next head coach of the Bryant University men’s golf program,” said Director of Athletics Bill Smith.  “He brings a tremendous amount of experience to the program, and having served as an assistant coach with our men’s lacrosse program for the past five years, his familiarity of Bryant and the golf program will certainly help the program compete against the best in the region.”

A familiar face on the local golf circuit, Blanchard brings a decorated resume to the Bryant program.  A six-time Rhode Island Golf Association Player of the Year selection, Blanchard captured the R.I. Amateur Championship in 2002.  That year, he was the only golfer to win all five R.I. major tournaments and was recognized as the New England Golf Journal New England Player of the Year.

A three-time United States Golf Association (USGA) Sectional Qualifier, Blanchard has won seven R.I. Mid-Amateur Championships during his career, most recently in 2009 and 2010, and captured four R.I. Stroke Play Championships including the 2011 title.  Also this past summer, Blanchard claimed his fifth title at the John P. Burke Memorial Championship. 

A 1984 graduate of Rocky Hill School in East Greenwich, R.I., Blanchard was a two-sport standout at Ohio Wesleyan University in both soccer and men’s lacrosse.  A two-time All-Ohio and NCAC Conference selection in soccer, Blanchard was a two-time USILA First Team All-American selection in lacrosse and was named the USILA Midfielder of the Year in 1987.

Upon graduating, Blanchard played professional lacrosse as a member of the Boston Blazers from 1990-97.  During his professional career, he earned five game MVP honors and was selected to the first-ever Major Indoor Lacrosse League All-Star game.  

For the past five seasons, Blanchard served as an assistant men’s lacrosse coach on Mike Pressler’s staff at Bryant University.