Bio

A true ambassador for the sport, Pete Benson becomes only the second UW-Oshkosh golfer to be inducted into the school's Athletic Hall of Fame.

Benson enrolled at UW-Oshkosh in 1965 after a stellar high school career in Oconto. At UW-Oshkosh, Benson immediately became an impact performer as he helped the Titans to their first WSUC golf championship since 1955. The Titans repeated as league champion in 1967 and 1968 with Benson receiving all-conference status for finishing second in the individual standings both years.

Qualifying through their performance at the NAIA District 14 Meet, Benson and his UW-Oshkosh teammates made four appearances at the NAIA National Championship. The Titans finished 12th in the country in 1965, 15th in 1966, 7th in 1967 and 11th in 1968. Benson's individual success matched that of the Titans as he averaged 79 strokes per 18 holes in 1965, 78 in 1966, 76 in 1967 and 74.3 in 1968.

Since graduating from UW-Oshkosh in 1968, Benson has taught and coached at public schools in Kaukauna. As head boys golf coach at Kaukauna High School, Benson has led the Galloping Ghosts to two second-place finishes at the WIAA State Tournament and two Fox Valley Association championships. In addition, he has guided teams to eight WIAA State Tournament appearances and 18 invitational titles.

Besides golf, Benson has coached third and fourth grade boys basketball, seventh and eighth grade boy basketball and ninth grade girls basketball.

Residing in Kaukauna, Benson remains active as an amateur golfer. His past accomplishments include a Wisconsin Publinx Championship, a Northwestern Wisconsin Golf Association Championship and five Fox Cities Tournament titles. Young children have also benefited from Benson's expertise in the sport as nearly 200 participants have taken part in his Pee Wee and Junior Golf Program each summer since 1984.