Counting down Southwest Georgia’s Top 10 sports stories of 2014 — No. 10: Longtime Darton golf coach Dover retires

EDITOR’S NOTE: The Herald’s sports staff has chosen, in our eyes, Southwest Georgia’s Top 10 sports stories from 2014. Today marks the first of the 10 we’ve picked as having a significant impact as we count down to No. 1, which will appear in the Jan. 1 addition. Look for No. 9 in Tuesday’s Herald.

It was the end of an era for a coach synonymous with helping establish the Darton State College men’s golf team as a national power. Last spring, after 11 years and three straight NJCAA Division II National Championships, legendary coach Dale Dover announced his retirement.

In his terms, he decided to “head to the club house” and stepped down as the Cavaliers’ golf coach and Director of Golf Operations.

Dover’s departure came after the Cavs finished fourth nationally at the NJCAA Division I National Championships last spring, which was the program’s best finish since joining the Division I ranks. Dover’s departure opened the door for Gary Hilton to take over as head coach.

“It’s been my baby,” Dover told the Albany Herald last May. “It’s my baby and I’m proud of it. I think Gary will take it on and do what needs to be done.”

Dover’s teams always had a way to finish strong.

Though the team’s finish at nationals last spring wasn’t how they wanted to end the season, Darton finished strong after a disappointing first round. The Cavaliers regrouped to produce their best finish since winning the national title in 2007.

Dover was very pleased with how his team bounced back after a poor first round.

It was the second time that Dover had stepped down as the Cavaliers’ head coach. In 2011, Dover stepped aside and assistant Bill Jones III took over. Dover continued to serve as Head of Golf Operations.

However, Jones III resigned in June 2013, forcing Dover to reassume the head coaching duties. However, Dover says that this time around, he is stepping down for good.

“Last time I enjoyed hanging around and helping Bill, but I told Gary back in the summer that he had better learn the ropes because after this year I was gone,” Dover said.

While Dover never formally told his players he was leaving after this year, according to Sanders, it was understood that this would be the last national tournament in which Dover would be coaching the Cavs.

“We wanted to send him out with a bang, but we came up just a little bit short,” Sanders said.

Dover may not be in charge or leading the program but he still make appearances during many of the Cavaliers’ home matches. During the Darton State Invitational at Stonebridge Country Club in October, Dover was there. He continued to support many of the golfers he helped recruit and offered tips and advice.

While Hilton plans to carry on the Darton legacy, Dover’s impact will be felt for a long time.