Dusty Darnold took over the Chiefs’ program in 2022 after the retirement of long-time head coach Dave Heiss, whom Darnold played for at Waubonsee in 2001 and 2002. As a matter of fact, Darnold was an All-Conference and All-Region golfer for the Chiefs, qualifying twice for Nationals and helping lead Heiss’ team to an NJCAA Regional Title and an NJCAA Division II National Tournament berth in 2001. Coach Darnold is determined to bring that level of success, both on and off the course, back to the program under his leadership.   

Darnold started playing golf in 8^th grade and his love and passion for the game has never wavered since. He graduated from Kaneland High School in 2000 where he was a three-year varsity starter and letterman, and two-year team captain for the Knights. Darnold was an IHSA Sectional Qualifier his junior year, and the medalist at the Sandwich Invitational and a top-10 finisher at the Batavia Invitational his senior year. He also helped manage the Kaneland’s annual school sponsored golf camp his last two years.      

After earning Skyway All-Academic honors and making the Dean’s List at Waubonsee, Darnold transferred to Northern Illinois University where he graduated in 2005 with a degree in Media Studies and Communication. Throughout high school and college he was never very far from a golf course. He worked at the St. Charles Golf Retail Store and the Hughes Creek Golf Club in Elburn, where he once shot a personal best round of 69. For three years he also served as an Honor Caddy at Rich Harvest Farms in Big Rock, helping guide tour pros, prominent business professionals, executives and politicians around the exclusive course.  

As a fan he has attended numerous professional events including the US Open, the John Deere Classic, the PGA Championship, the Kroger Senior Classic, the Kellogg Keebler LPGA Championship, the BMW Championship, the Champions Tour Encompass Championship and the Ryder Cup. And not surprisingly his favorite movie is Happy Gilmore. Coach Darnold lived in the Seattle, Washington area for nearly 10 years, with additional stints living in Los Angeles, California and Chicago before moving back to the Fox Valley area in 2021. He currently works as an Administration Manager in the HR and Finance industry, and resides in Geneva with his wife Lena, 4-year old son Beau and 13-year old daughter Janelle.