Mount Mercy Director of Athletics Paul Gavin has named his successor as head men's golf coach. Luke Slaymaker will take over the program beginning Jan. 15, Gavin announced Monday.

"Luke's passion for the game of golf and love for Mount Mercy are a great recipe for success," said Gavin. "I have total confidence he will continue with the strong tradition he helped build as a player years ago."

Slaymaker, a native of Center Point, played golf for Gavin and the Mustangs from 2000-04. He held the school record for career scoring average (75.22) from 2004-12 and was inducted into the Mount Mercy Athletic Hall of Fame in 2011.

Slaymaker was a two-time NAIA all-American (2003, 2004) and NAIA all-region performer. He also garnered all-conference honors three times (2001, 2002, 2004) and was a three-time academic all-conference selection.

Since graduating from Mount Mercy in 2004, Slaymaker has played in more than 80 professional events and also caddied professionally for the LPGA's developmental tour, the Symetra Tour, while traveling to Canada, Mexico, Spain, Australia and New Zealand.

"I'm excited to start a new chapter of my life," Slaymaker said. "I welcome the opportunity to coach the next generation of golfers, and what better place to do that than my alma mater."