Benton High Golf Coach Tim Cram shot his own hole in one, or at least the equivalent, by being named the 2022-23 National Coach of the Year by the National Federation of State High School Associations. Only 23 high school coaches from across the country are selected each year for this high honor that is awarded by the NFHS Coaches Association.
Under the leadership of Coach Cram, the Benton High boys golf team has stacked up the wins and achieved greatness across multiple competitive divisions of the Louisiana High School Athletic Association (LHSAA). Cram’s first state championship team reigned supreme in LHSAA Division III in 2004, which was followed by a run of six consecutive Division II state championships from 2012 to 2016, and yet another title in 2018. Cram has also guided Benton to two state runner-up finishes since the program moved up to Division I in 2021, and at the sub-state level has claimed 12 regional championships since 1998.
In addition to the team-based accolades, Cram mentored individual state medalists in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2018 and individual runners-up in 2013, 2021 and 2022.
Golf is not the only sport Cram excels at coaching. He was also an assistant coach for the Benton football team for 25 years and spent 23 seasons with the basketball program, including 14 years as head coach. To say he is a well-rounded coach is an understatement.
Congratulations to Coach Cram for exhibiting the heart of a champion both on and off the putting green.