Bill Sergent is the son of Betty and Bill Sergent of Big Stone Gap, Virginia. He grew up in the hills of western Virginia’s town of Big Stone Gap where his love for golf grew into a fierce level of competitiveness for the sport. In 1975, after graduating from high school, golf led Bill to and athletic scholarship at Cumberland College, now University of the Cumberlands, under the late Coach Norman Cox.
While competing as a golfer at Cumberland, Bill was a four-time All-KIAC selection, 1975-78, a three-time KIAC Tournament Champion, 1976-78, three time All-NAIA District 32 Selection, 1976-78, and a two-time NAIA District 32 scoring record of five under par 139 in winning the 1977 tournament. Bill played in three NAIA championship Tournaments and won ten college tournaments, a Cumberland record until tow of his players moved past him which ranks him third currently for total wins in the Cumberland record books.
After graduating with a Bachelors of Science degree in Physical Education for Cumberland in 1978, Bill completed the Master of Science degree from Union College in 1982. Bill has amassed quite a golf resume since his college days competing at all levels and claiming two Kentucky Opens and has won over 50 amateur tournaments throughout his career. He attended the PGA tour qualifying tournament in 1982.
For the past 29 years Bill has been the head coach of the Cumberlands’ men’s golf team. He brought the women’s golf program into existence in 1994-95 and continues to coach both teams. Bill held the position of Sports Information Director of twenty-four years resulting in numerous KIAC and District awards. He is currently the Assistant Athletic Director at Cumberland and serves as President of the Kentucky Golf Association Board of Directors. Sergent is the only golf coach to have served as President of the Men’s and Women’s NAIA Coaches Association.
It is rare that an individual’s name becomes synonymous with his or her sport but over Bill’s career it is easy to say that his name and reputations have become just that in “Cumberland Golf,” throughout the State of Kentucky and the region. He has recruited high school golfers far and wide while coaching and developing a generation of men and women golfers, coaches, instructors, and even golf pros who can be found across America and around the world.
Bill has been married to Mary Cain Sergent, also a golfer, for twelve years. They reside in London, Kentucky with their nine year old daughter, Carly, who actively works to hone the golfing genes passed along by her parents.
