(St. George, UT) - It is never easy to step away from a job, especially in the world of intercollegiate sports. But when the heart tells you it is time, it is prudent to listen. Reed McArthur has decided to resign as Dixie State College golf coach for personal reasons, effective immediately. “This is not an easy decision,” McArthur said. “But it is the right decision, at the right time.”

McArthur, 54 took over the Dixie State golf program in 2007, during his tenure as President of the Utah Section of the Professional Golfers Association. He has been the head professional at Sunbrook Golf Course since 1990.

“I was honored to be asked,” McArthur said. “I knew I could help take the program to the next level.” That was certainly the case. During McArthur's tenure, the Dixie State golf team won several team tournaments and qualified for multiple NCAA West/Central Region tournaments. If there was one regret McArthur had, it was not winning a Pacific West Conference Championship. “This program has brought me a second family and I’m sorry we could not bring a conference title back to St. George,” he said.

Dixie State College Athletic Director Jason Boothe said, McArthur's commitment to the success of the golf program at Dixie State was exhibited over the past five years. “Reed’s passion and dedication will be sorely missed, but we are pleased he will be around to help out in whatever capacity," said Boothe. "We thank him for getting the program to a high level and caring for the kids.”

The school’s ties with Sunbrook will not change with McArthur’s resignation. The site will continue to be the home golf course for the team and be a venue for future Pacific West Conference matches.

There are many people that the coach wanted to thank, but above others is his wife Suzie. McArthur said, “I want to thank her for her patience and support during my coaching career, not just the past five years of me coaching at Dixie State.” McArthur expressed his thanks to the entire athletic department for the amount of work directed toward the golf program and all of the other intercollegiate sports.

“It’s hard for people outside the community to understand that everybody at Dixie State cares about every sport,” he said. McArthur also acknowledged the support he received from the City of St. George in allowing him to coach at Dixie State and understanding when he needed to take time away from Sunbrook to be with the team.

The athletic department will conduct a national search for a new men’s golf coach.