Dave Arseneault Jr. ’09 enters his third year as the head women’s golf coach after taking over the highly-successful program from his father, David Arseneault Sr.
In 2019-20, Arseneault helped the Pioneer women’s golf program transition to a new league, as the team joined the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC) as an affiliate member. In just their first year in the league, Arseneault led the Pioneers to the conference championship and the team earned the automatic bid to the 2019-20 NCAA Championships. Arseneault was recognized as the SLIAC Coach of the Year.
In 2018-19, Arseneault guided the Pioneers to their most successful season in school history. After being ranked in the top five in the country for most of the year, the Pioneers made their third trip to the NCAA Division III National Championships, where they placed ninth. That is the second-highest national placing for a Grinnell team, regardless of sport, in school history. Arseneault went on to earn NCAA Central Region Coach of the Year honors. In the fall, Arseneault led the team to their sixth straight Midwest Conference (MWC) and received MWC Coach of the Year honors. At the conclusion of the academic year, the 2018-19 team was recognized by the Women’s Golf Coaches Association as having the fifteenth best grade point average in all of Division III.
Under the guidance of Coach Arseneault the women’s golf program has already set numerous team and individual school records that include: Season stroke average, 18-hole team round, 36-hole team tournament, 72-hole team tournament, individual 18-hole round and individual 72-hole tournament
Arseneault has also coached numerous All-American selections:
Nina Kouchi – 2020 2nd Team, 2019 2nd Team
Vidushi Sinha – 2019 1st Team
Vrishali Sinha – 2019 Honorable Mention
The Grinnell College women’s golf team plays and practices at their home course, the Grinnell College Golf Course. The beautifully designed course, established in 1899, is located on campus just a few blocks from the residence halls.
In addition to serving as a the head women’s golf coach, Dave Arseneault Jr. is a faculty member at Grinnell College and the head coach of the men's basketball team. He has a bachelor of arts in economics from Grinnell College and completed a master’s degree in sport management from California University in Pennsylvania. Arseneault is married to Rachel Arseneault '10, who also works at Grinnell College and is a former member of the Pioneer track and cross country teams. They have a three-year old daughter, Isabel and a 7-month old son, Jackson.
