Mark Hopkins was hired as Averett University's men’s golf head coach in May 2016. Hopkins, who has more than 30 years of experience in the golf industry, previously coached the Averett golf program for two seasons from 1996-98.
In his first season since returning to coach the Cougars, Hopkins guided his team to four top-10 finishes. Averett's best performance during the 2016-17 season came at the Lynchburg College Invitational, where the team tied for sixth overall. Individually, the Cougars had two golfers place in the top 13.
In 2017-18, Hopkins coached the Cougars to five top-five finishes as Averett qualified for the USA South Conference Tournament.
Hopkins currently owns and operates Southern Hills Golf Course in Danville, a venture he began in 2010. Previously, he was the president of Aurora Golf Management based in Greensboro, North Carolina, for eight years. The company managed Southwick Golf Course in course in Graham, North Carolina. His work experience also includes being the head golf professional at Southern Hills, which was then called Glen Oak Country Club, and Director of Golf at Caswell Pines Golf Club.
A native of Danville, Hopkins graduated with an associate's degree from Danville Community College in 1979. He and his wife, Vera, have four daughters — Hannah, Mariah, Sarah and Norah.
