CRAIG LAUDERDALE
Golf Coach

In 2008 Northeast golf coach Craig Lauderdale led his Tigers to a 2nd consecutive MACJC/Region 23 title and a trip to the NJCAA Division III National Tournament in Jamestown, New York. After an undefeated regular season on the tournament team, Lauderdale's 2008 squad finished 8th at the national event.

Lauderdale's bunch went undefeated in regular season play in 2007, winning the MACJC State and Region 23 championships. Lauderdale was named Region 23 Division III Coach of the Year.

Sophomore Chase Williams (Alcorn Central) finished third in the nation in the individual rankings and became the first Northeast golfer to be named a first team All-American by the NJCAA since Lauderdale himself earned the honor in 1990.

After posting two tournament wins in 2004 and leading a group of first-year players into battle in 2005, Lauderdale watched his 2006 team save its best performance for the last event of the year.

As a team, the Tiger linksters turned in a fourth place finish, its best of the year, at the State/Region 23 Tournament at Hillandale Country Club in Corinth.  Chase Williams led the way, placing second individually and earning a berth in the National Tournament.  It was the second time under Lauderdale’s direction that a Northeast golfer had accomplished this feat.
 
A 1987 graduate of Jumpertown High School, Lauderdale was a member of the Northeast basketball team as a freshman, but turned his attention to golf as a sophomore and became the first person to represent the school as a collegiate golfer.  He played as an individual and earned All-American status in 1990.

Lauderdale played at the University of Mississippi and the University of North Alabama before earning a bachelor’s degree in social science with a minor in Bible from Blue Mountain College.

Back at his alma mater Jumpertown High School, Lauderdale served as head basketball coach and golf coach for six years.  During that time he led three Cardinal golf teams to the State Tournament.

Currently, Lauderdale is the head pro at Booneville Golf and Country Club.

Craig and his wife Tara, a former Northeast Lady Tiger Basketball player, have three children; Maria, Austin, and Macy.