Olympia, WASH. - South Puget Sound Community College Athletic Director Vernell Willingham has announced the inaugural coaching staff for the SPSCC Men's and Women's Golf programs. Russ Olsen has been selected to lead the first-year program as they begin competing in the Northwest Athletic Conference (NWAC) starting in the fall of 2023.

Olsen, a South Sound Golf Community member for over 30 years, joins the Clippers after leading the Black Hills High School Golf program during the 2022-23 season. The North Thurston graduate played collegiately at Saint Martin's University and graduated with his Bachelor's Degree in 1997. After graduating, Russ worked for American Golf Corporation as General Manager at Capitol City Golf Course in Olympia and the Classic Golf Club in Tacoma. In 2005, Russ earned his Master's Degree in Public Administration from Seattle University.

In 2013, Olsen was named the operations supervisor at Tumwater Valley Golf Club. In 2016, Russ founded the Valley Golf Academy, which provides private golf instruction and has established partnerships and includes golf instruction through Tumwater Parks and Recreation, Olympia Parks and Recreation, Longview Parks and Recreation, Thurston County Special Olympics, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Thurston County, and First Tee of South Puget Sound.