Coach Merritt is a former collegiate golfer at Western Washington University, Coach Merritt captained the team in 1994. He was co-medalist at the NAIA West Region Championships, leading the team to a 1st place finish there and in the Pacific Northwest Athletic Conference. At the 1994 NAIA National Championships, Western placed 15th. Since then, golf has remained a lifelong passion, both as a competitor and a coach. With experience at the high school level and a background as a teacher, principal, and college instructor, Coach Merritt is an educator at heart. His coaching philosophy emphasizes strategy, mental strength, and maximizing each player's natural abilities rather than adhering to a rigid system. A strong communicator, he helps players refine their approach to the game, develop confidence, and reach their full potential—on and off the course.