The UCCS PGA Golf Management Program team claimed the second-place prize at the PGA University Championship this year.
The championship took place at Bear’s Best golf club in Las Vegas, Nevada, from Nov. 13-15. Along with UCCS, 90 players from 17 other teams competed. The teams play for the Jones Cup prize, named for S. Roland Jones, the first PGA Golf Management University Program Director at Mississippi State. The event “provides a platform for participants to display professionalism, integrity, character and camaraderie—all characteristics Dr. Jones instilled in PGA Golf Management students.”
UCCS had quite the turnaround in this year’s tournament after taking last place in the 2021 championship. UCCS PGA Golf Management Program Director Mark Bacheldor noted the team’s hard work over the last year to change and improve their practice and strategy.
“We made a commitment to build a team environment and to have required drills and practices,” said Bacheldor. “We created team chemistry, as well as the processes. We did work in our swing lab by adjusting the altitude. We also played games and got to know each other and became a team. This time we created a golf team, five incredible young men that are here in Las Vegas, who I’m just so proud of.”
Each team sends five players to the competition, with students Chris Jonell, Ryan Peragallo, Zach Richmond, Ian Scarborough and Justin Vaughn representing UCCS. Though the team had high hopes of placing first in the championship, the second place title is the best in the program’s record.
“While our second place finish in the National Championship was our highest in UCCS program history, I can tell you that the team was disappointed not to achieve their ultimate goal of bringing home a National Title,” Bacheldor said. “To me, that speaks to the character and determination of these five competitors. They accomplished something that no other UCCS team has accomplished in our 20 year history, and yet, it wasn’t enough. That drive for excellence is who we are as Mountain Lions. This year has cemented itself proudly in our program’s history, and I am so grateful to have shared in it with them.”
New Mexico State University took first place in the tournament, with University of Nebraska winning third, University of Central Oklahoma in fourth, and Campbell University in fifth.
The UCCS PGA Golf Management Program was established in 2003 and is one of only eight programs in the nation that is both Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business and PGA accredited, in addition to being the only such program in Colorado. Graduates from the program have a 100% job-placement rate after graduation and eligibility for election into the PGA as a PGA Golf Professional.
About the UCCS College of Business
The College of Business was established in 1965 and has more than 1,300 undergraduates and 350 MBA students. The College of Business and Administration awards the Bachelor of Science in Business and Bachelor of Innovation degrees. The Graduate School of Business Administration awards the Master of Business Administration, Master of Science in Accounting and Executive Doctor of Business Administration degrees. More than 10,000 alumni of the College of Business live and work around the world. Learn more about the College of Business at UCCS.