Fort Worth, Texas — Orrin Davis "O.D." Bounds Jr., a 1941 alumnus of Texas Wesleyan University (TXWES), remains a towering figure in collegiate golf, his legacy etched into the fabric of the Fort Worth-based Methodist institution. As a professor, coach, and lifelong advocate, Bounds dedicated 40 years (1946–1985) to transforming the Rams’ men’s golf program into an NAIA powerhouse, securing multiple national titles and inspiring traditions like the O.D. and Maurice Bounds Golf Classic. His vision continues to shape ambitious projects such as the Devlin Center, a state-of-the-art golf facility set to open on campus, ensuring his influence endures in 2025.
A Championship Legacy
Bounds’ tenure as coach turned TXWES’ fledgling golf program, founded in 1940, into a national contender. His teams amassed 109 tournament victories, 36 district championships, and 26 conference titles. The Rams claimed three NAIA national championships (1964, 1969, 1975) and secured seven runner-up and five third-place finishes at national championships. Six players earned NAIA individual medalist honors, and 33 were named All-Americans.
“He was an eternal optimist who always looked for the good in people,” said Assistant Coach Bobby Cornett, who played under Bounds from 1968–1972 and later succeeded him as coach. Cornett, now a key figure in the program’s ongoing success, credits Bounds with pioneering the NAIA men’s golf championship structure. “Golf was just a barbecue circuit back then—individuals, not teams. O.D. pushed for six-man teams, counting four scores, later changed to five-man teams with the low four scores each day,” Cornett said. His efforts earned him the title of “Father of the NAIA Golf.”
Bounds’ accolades reflect his impact: he was the first coach inducted into the NAIA Golf Hall of Fame in 1972, the inaugural member of the TXWES Athletic Hall of Fame in 1976, and posthumously honored by the Golf Coaches Association of America Hall of Fame in 2009. Bounds died in 2004 at 85, but the program he built has thrived, qualifying for NAIA nationals in 48 of 55 years, never missing the cut, and finishing outside the top 10 only three times. The Rams boast seven national titles (1964, 1969, 1975, 1990, 1995, 1999, 2019), 11 runner-up finishes (an NAIA record), 12 individual medalists, and 105 All-Americans.
Today, under Head Coach Kevin Long, the men’s team continues its dominance, securing four tournament wins and a 10th-place finish at the 2024–25 NAIA National Championship, with two All-Americans and seven Scholar-Athletes. The women’s team, led by Head Coach Kevin Millikan, also thrives, winning six regular-season events, placing second in the conference championship, and finishing fourth at nationals, with three All-Americans and six Scholar-Athletes. “O.D.’s legacy gives our team a foundation to strive for excellence, pushing us to compete at the highest level while staying true to his values of integrity and resilience,” Millikan said.
From Tennis to Golf: Bounds’ Beginnings
Bounds’ journey to golf stardom was unconventional. A standout tennis player at TXWES, he first encountered golf during a rained-out tennis conference championship in Georgetown, Texas, where tennis players caddied for golfers. “That was his introduction to golf at 18 or 19,” Cornett recalled. After serving in the Coast Guard during World War II, Bounds returned to TXWES, teaching accounting while pursuing a doctorate that he never completed. “Some called him Dr. Bounds, but he didn’t correct them,” Cornett said with a chuckle. Alongside coaching tennis and golf, Bounds served as a deacon at Polytechnic Baptist Church, managing its finances. “He was the busiest man I ever met,” Cornett added.
The O.D. and Maurice Bounds Golf Classic
Each fall, TXWES honors Bounds and his late wife, Maurice, through the O.D. and Maurice Bounds Golf Classic, a fundraiser supporting the men’s and women’s golf programs via the O.D. Bounds Endowment for Golf. The 28th annual event, held Sept. 22, 2025, at Diamond Oaks Country Club in Fort Worth, was sold out, raising funds for scholarships, travel, and equipment. The tournament, a four-person shamble format, included golf, cart, range balls, lunch, fajita dinner, four beverages, and tee prizes. Sponsorships ranged from $250 for individuals to $10,000 for title sponsors, offering perks like tee signs and group outings.
The event’s origins trace to the late 1970s as the Lee Trevino Pro-Am, conceived by alumni Doug Higgins Sr., Guinn Phillips, and Wendell Conditt, who built Diamond Oaks. “Lee would bring tour friends, and we’d get people to pay extra to play with them,” Cornett said. Trevino, an honorary TXWES alumnus (’86), participated for years without compensation, despite commanding $50,000 daily for similar events. When Trevino shifted focus to the senior tour, the event became the O.D. Bounds Golf Classic, evolving into a cornerstone of the program’s financial stability.
“It’s allowed us to stay competitive,” Cornett said, noting its role in offsetting scholarship cuts during lean years.
Athletic Director Ricky Dotson, who has played in the tournament for the past 14 years, going back to his days as an assistant coach on the Wesleyan campus, said the tournament gets better each year.
“Bobby has been the architect of the entire event, and the success he has generated through his efforts and the engagement of our Golf Endowment Committee is amazing,” Dotson said. “Not only does the event raise money to support our men’s and women’s golf teams, but it serves as a reunion for our former players, and it’s just a whole lot of fun.”
“The OD is one of my favorite events of the year,” he said.
The annual tournament at Texas Wesleyan consistently generates significant funds, averaging approximately $50,000 each year to support both the men's and women's golf programs. These contributions play a vital role in enhancing team resources, equipment, and opportunities for student-athletes. The tournament's most successful year was 2022, when it raised over $86,000, marking a standout achievement in bolstering the university's golf initiatives.
The Devlin Center: A New Chapter
Bounds’ legacy is set to expand with the Devlin Center, an indoor/outdoor golf facility planned for TXWES’ campus at Vickery and Collard streets. Named for golf legend Bruce Devlin—designer of over 150 courses, winner of 32 worldwide titles, and pioneering broadcaster—the center also honors Bounds and Cornett, whose combined 80 years of coaching yielded seven national titles. The $7.1 million project, now in its fundraising phase, will feature three hitting bays, one putting bay, three greens, a classroom, conference room, club repair room, workout space, player lounge, and more.
"The Devlin Center provides an unparalleled opportunity in college golf to grow and sustain our programs, engage the community with transformative youth and adult initiatives, create unique alumni and corporate partnerships, and honor the enduring legacies of Coach Bounds, Coach Cornett, and Bruce and Gloria Devlin," Long said.
Beyond athletics, the 14,000 square-foot Devlin Center will provide a superior educational experience for the Men’s and Women’s Golf programs, while also engaging area youth programs, similar to the First Tee, in partnerships to help children grow mentally and physically in a safe environment. The Devlin Center also provides TXWES a venue for meaningful engagement with corporate partners, alumni, and the East Fort Worth community.
“We realized the golf teams alone couldn’t justify the expense, so we envisioned a community hub for groups like First Tee, veterans, and local schools, with year-round programming,” said Kevin Millikan, women’s golf head coach and a key visionary behind the project. The center aims to be self-sustaining within two years through events and partnerships.
A capital campaign kicks off with “An Evening with Bruce Devlin & Friends” on Oct. 28, 2025, at Paul and Judy Andrews Hall, featuring Devlin, former PGA player David Graham and moderator Lance Barrow, a member of the Texas Golf Hall of Fame. The event underscores Bounds’ philosophy: “I always looked forward to each year because I learned more from them than they learned from me,” he once said.
A Lasting Impact
From surviving the Great Depression to fostering a golf dynasty, Bounds embodied resilience, much like TXWES, founded in 1890. His influence endures through the Rams’ seven national titles, the Golf Classic’s community spirit, and the Devlin Center’s bold vision. For TXWES, Bounds’ legacy is a reminder that greatness is built one drive, one lesson, and one generation at a time.