ATHERTON, CA – Menlo College Golf is pleased to announce
Joe Dolby as the new program's new Assistant Coach, joining him with Director of Golf
Jess Stimack. An accomplished golf professional and coach, Dolby brings more than 15 years of player development experience into his position, most recently serving as Head Coach of the Academy of Art men's golf program.
"Having known Joe for 25 years now, I am absolutely thrilled to be able to coach with him," said Stimack. "We competed against each other at the Junior Golf and NCAA Division II level. We have also teamed up together in Northern California PGA section events and coached against each other in the West Region. Joe's playing and coaching experience level will make an immediate impact for the Oaks, and the rest of the Menlo College family!"
Starting with the Urban Knights' 2023-24 campaign, Dolby proceeded to guide the team to two of the program's top four average scores to date highlighted by multiple accomplishments like Giulio Zanichelli's back-to-back Pacific West Conference Golfer of the Year honors. The program's career leader in average score and top 10 finishes, Zanichelli reached the NCAA Division II National Championship in 2024 and was a two-time All-PacWest First Team and PacWest All-Tournament Team selection under Dolby. Along with having his players place inside the top 15 on 23 occasions, Dolby delivered academic success as well with Zanichelli earning titles of PacWest Men's Golf Scholar-Athlete of the Year and Golf Coaches Association of America Cobalt All-America Scholar both in 2023-24 while the squad had four Academic All-PacWest Team honorees in Dolby's time at the helm.
"It's nice to land at a new place and especially to have the opportunity to join a friend like Jess who I've known for so long," said Dolby. "I'm excited for this new start together at Menlo and to pick up where we each left off."
Prior to ART U, Dolby served as Assistant Coach for three seasons with the Santa Clara men's golf program, helping the Broncos elevate their team ranking more than 60 spots into the top 100. Notching seven top-five team finishes including back-to-back results at the last two West Coast Conference Championship Tournaments, SCU also had GCAA All-America Scholars as well as GCAA PING All-West Region Team and All-WCC Team honorees in that time.
A former first assistant golf professional at Palo Alto Hills Golf & Country Club, Dolby implemented a best-in-class and all-encompassing junior golf program for over 100 students who achieved success on the LPGA Tour as well as the NCAA Division I and AJGA levels. He has also served as the PGA assistant golf professional and junior golf development coach at La Rinconada Country Club in Los Gatos, Calif. since 2020.
Dolby turned professional in 2006, competing on mini tours before earning his PGA Class A membership in 2010. He is an active member of the Northern California PGA Section, winning the NCPGA Assistant Professional of the Year award in 2013, and the NCPGA Assistant Division Player of the Year in 2009 and 2011. He also competed in the PGA Professional National Championship in 2011 and the 2011 and 2020 PGA Assistant Professional Championship.
"Joe is from the area and has deep ties to this community," said Stimack. "I'm genuinely excited to work with such a high caliber person as Joe. The future is very bright for Menlo College Golf!"
A graduate of UC San Diego, Dolby spent four years on the golf team, leading the Tritons to the 2004 NCAA Division II Championship, their first-ever appearance. He was an NCAA All-American Scholar in 2004 and 2005 as well as All-CCAA Team in 2005 before earning his bachelor's degree in Biology.
