ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Victor Perez and Gavin Green, two former Lobo golfers turned pro, competed side-by-side this past week at the Saudi International on Jan. 30 – Feb. 2, 2020. The duo, along with several other former players from The University of New Mexico men’s golf team, have taken their careers to the next level as they have entered into the professional arena to compete among the world’s top golfers.
“Watching Victor and Gavin in the final group last Saturday was a really cool experience,” head coach Glen Millican said. “It doesn’t seem like long ago that I was watching them battle it out at our home course in team practice and it is exciting to see them continue their careers at the professional level.”
Perez and Green finished round two of the Saudi International in first and second place, respectively, and were paired together in their third round out of four. Green wrapped up the competition tied for third overall with a score of nine under, 271, just three strokes out of first place, while Perez landed in a tie for 38th at one under, 279.
Perez, who graduated in 2015, has seen incredible success in the professional realm, earning a ranking of No. 42 in the Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR). He is fourth on the European Tour Race to Dubai and he finished second overall in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.
Victor Perez (2011-2015)
Green, who is also a 2015 graduate and former Mountain West Champion, is 11th overall on the European Tour Race to Dubai and is ranked 146th in the OWGR. Green’s younger brother, junior Galven Green, is a current member of the UNM men’s golf team. Galven Green followed in his brother’s footsteps last season taking the individual title at the 2019 Mountain West Championships.
Gavin Green (2011-2015)
Among the other former Lobos in the pros is John Catlin, a 2013 graduate from UNM. Catlin recently won the Thailand Open with a seven-stroke advantage over second place and he finished second overall in the ADT Boonchu Ruangkit Championship. Catlin is sitting ranked No. 182 in the OWGR and is 12th on the Asian Tour Order of Merit. Catlin is back in action this week as he is competing in the ISPS Handa Vic Open on the European Tour this Thursday, Feb. 6 – Sunday, Feb. 9.
John Catlin (2009-2013)
Another honorable Lobo is Kent Jones. Jones is a 1990 graduate from UNM and turned professional in 1992. Currently, Jones is 33rd overall on the Charles Schwab Cup Money List and he began the 2020 season with a 17th-place finish at the Morocco Champions event.
Kent Jones (1986-1990)
“We are all so happy for all of the successes of our former Lobos and are looking forward to more great Lobo golf all over the globe this year!” Millican said.
The current UNM men’s golf squad will resume its spring season on Feb. 20-22 as it heads to Lihue, Hawaii for the John Burns Intercollegiate hosted by Hawaii.