Southern Arizona is becoming a proving ground for outstanding young golfers…who may be ready to not only make it to the next level…but excel once they get there. Shock waves were sent through the golf world when Matthew Wolff won the PGA 3M Classic, just weeks after his last college match. Granted, he had an illustrious college career, winning the 2019 NCAA Individual Championship. But he gave hope to a handful of Tucson homegrown golfers who also hope to catch lightning in a bottle as well.
Topping the list is Trevor Werbylo. The former Salpointe grad, has moved into the top spot on the University of Arizona Wildcat golf team, earning all Pac 12 honors as well as Honorable Mention All-American. He led the team in scoring, carding a 62 in the process. Trevor said “it was surreal watching Matthew win the tournament. It inspired me to want to do the same thing.” Trevor went on to say that the travel, competition and coaching has gotten to the point that it prepares most newcomers for the PGA tour.
Reece Nilsen enjoyed similar success during his first two college seasons…albeit at NAIA Rocky Mountain College. Reece also led his team to all conference honors and he, like Werbylo, shot a 62 during competition. At 6’ 4”, Reece says he is able to parlay his height into distance and can hit it as long as anyone. He says he hits it straighter than he used to, allowing him to reach more par 4’s with just a wedge. He added that Wolff’s win showed him that he can do it…if he keeps playing in big events. He announced recently that he has received a scholarship to Grand Canyon University, a big step up from Rocky Mountain. He says their schedule will allow him to play much better competition.
Besides Trevor and Reece, look for recent Loyola Marymount transfer Gavin Cohen and South Mountain Community College’s Jonathon Walters to keep striving for the next level. Cohen, a Catalina Foothills grad and state high school champ recently was the runner up at the Southwest Amateur Championship and Walters was named the Phil Mickelson Award winner…the top junior college freshman in the country.
