PGA Works has once again provided golf programs from minority-serving institutions, including historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), a national championship stage, while also exposing student-athletes to opportunities beyond competition.
At The Park in West Palm Beach this week, the Howard University Bison competed valiantly alongside programs from across the nation as Texas A&M-Corpus Christi captured the Women’s Team Championship at the 39th PGA Works Collegiate Championship presented by Chase and Kohler Co.
The Islanders leaned on depth instead of a single dominant player, winning the championship without anyone finishing inside the top six individually. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi placed players from seventh through 11th to secure a nine-shot victory over defending champion North Carolina A&T State University.
Coach Chris Adams said the strength of the program is its balance.
“The biggest thing with this group is, at any given time, any five of them can be the No. 1 player,” Adams said.
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi shot 22-over during the final round on the challenging par-71 layout to finish at 65-over 917. Samantha Gibbs led the Islanders in seventh place, Elsa Tornvall finished eighth, Tristan Gabbard and Lucia Ramirez tied for ninth, and Hannah Creekmore tied for 11th place.
The title marked the fifth PGA Works Collegiate Championship crown for the Islanders in the last six years. The team did not compete in last year’s championship because it advanced to NCAA regionals.
“It feels great,” Adams said. “Anytime you can end with a win in your last tournament — I’ve got three seniors — it’s wonderful to end on such a high note.”
North Carolina A&T State University mounted a strong charge in the final round, shooting 299 and trimming 11 strokes from the Islanders’ lead. Adams praised the event and its presentation.
“This is a great event,” Adams said. “They host it on a fantastic golf course. They host it like it’s a flat out PGA TOUR event, and it’s an honor to be here and to win.”
Texas Southern University sophomore Thaiz Amezcua earned Women’s Team Medalist honors after shooting a final-round 73 to finish one shot ahead of Sanaa Carter of North Carolina Central University. Amezcua said she did not realize she had secured the title until teammates rushed to celebrate with her after she finished on the 18th hole.
“I had no idea,” Amezcua said. “Honestly, I still can’t believe it. I’m very happy about this. Last night, I was just thinking that it doesn’t matter what I do, because I just try to be my best self. This is my biggest win.”
Amezcua played her final nine holes without a bogey, using a birdie on the par-4 16th hole to secure the margin of victory. She finished at 10-over 223 despite battling illness throughout the tournament.
“I was very sick the whole round,” she said. “I couldn’t even think straight. I was just telling my coaches to please tell me what to do, because I have no idea.”
University of North Carolina Wilmington freshman Alexis Faieta won the Women’s Individual title by five shots over Carolin Alblas of Florida Atlantic University. Faieta opened the championship with a 4-under 67 that included an eagle hole-out from the sand on the 14th hole, a shot later featured on SportsCenter’s Shot of the Day. She closed with a 70 to finish at 2-over 215.
“Just such a high,” Faieta said. “It’s been so fun, even regardless of my performance; just everything else has just been a blast. The course, the location, all the people. I just had an amazing week, and to win is just the cherry on top.”
