Thomas Kearney was tabbed as the next Head Men's Golf Coach in July of 2023. Kearney came to UIW following a 10-year stint at St. Mary's University where he coached both Men's and Women's programs to eight consecutive NCAA Regional appearances.
In his first season as head coach Thomas led the Cardinals to a historical season. Some of the most notable accomplishments were the highest finish in a D1 tournament at New Mexico State when the Cards finished second overall. UIW went on to take second in two more tournaments through the year. UIW also had their lowest ranking, team scoring average, lowest individual season scoring averages in program history. He also coached his student-athletes to 11 team rounds and 52 individual rounds of Par or better. Under Kearney UIW men’s golfers had student-athlete of the month, second team all-conference, and second team all-academic awards. His Cardinals also held the highest GPA among UIW men’s sports (3.67) and led the way for all sports in community service hours with 128.
The success has only continued in the proceeding two seasons, as the Cardinals finished as the runner-up at the Southland Conference Championships in both 2025 and 2026. The 2025 team set a single-round scoring record of 274 (-14) on the second day of the SLC Championships in 2025, a day that also saw Ken-Marten-Soo shoot an individual program record 64 (-8).
UIW then came just one stroke shy of capturing the conference title in 2026, its three-day score of 867 (+3) just a shot behind winner UTRGV. The Cardinals were led by Joel Talusen, who recorded the best 36-hole score (-9) in program history on his way to a medalist performance. Talusen is the second SLC medalist in program history (Joe Buenfeld, 2022). He was also the second UIW golfer to qualify for the NCAA Regionals, where he recorded a two-round score of 227 (+11).
Kearney started at St. Mary's as an assistant coach in 2013 before moving to Director of Golf in 2016, leading both the men's and women's programs.
Prior to his coaching career, Kearney finished up an impressive professional career where he represented the Irish National team and played in various tours around the globe, most notably the PGA Tour 2010 Valero Texas Open.
Former PGA and European Tour member, Richie Coughlan said, "His experience as an accomplished player, instructor and an exceptional coach will benefit the UIW program immensely. His success and track record speaks for itself, he's simply one of the best."
Since 2011 Kearney has been a golf performance coach. He has coached his athletes to play on the highest levels such as, PGA Tour, European Tour, Champions Tour, European Senior Tour, Korn Ferry Tour, PGA Latin America, Mackenzie Tour, Symetra Tour, APT, Cactus Tour, PGA Europro Tour, PGA of Australia, Alps Tour, Pro Golf Tour, eGolf Tour, SwingThought Tour, Gateway Tour, STPGA Section Events, USGA, R&A, AJGA events, Golf Channel Am Tour, NCAA National Championships
Texas A&M International Men's and Women's Head Coach, Rudy Gonzalez, said, "What a great hire for University of the Incarnate Word Golf Program. Thomas will bring a wealth of knowledge not only in the development of the golf games of the student-athletes but also make them better people. I've enjoyed sharing ideas and talking development and performance during our time together in the Lone Star Conference. UIW is in good hands."
Kearney's athletes have not just made appearances, but won many awards along the way, claiming college scholarships and tournament wins, junior tournament wins, Mid-Am, club, and city championship wins, high school district championship wins, and All-American honors.
UC Santa Barbra Head Men's Golf Coach Chris Massoletti said, "Coach Kearney is one of the best in the business. His dedication to his athlete's success on and off the course is what separates him from the rest. He has been incredibly successful at the D2 level and knows what it takes to be competitive at Division I and beyond. UIW has a great new coach who will propel the program to new heights."
