ALUMNI NEWS
BGGA’S JULIAN
PERICO: THE
FIBER OF A
CHAMPION
The last time the University of
Arkansas dominated the SEC
Men’s Golf Championship was
in 1995. Now, in the hands of
BGGA Alumni Julian Perico,
Arkansas reached glory again
after 24 years.
The impressive field at Sea Island Golf Club witnessed
Perico’s excellence. The Peruvian was the only one from the
Arkansas Razorback’s team who managed to win his three
match play contests. Arkansas won the title after beating
Vanderbilt in the quarterfinals, Texas A&M in the semifinals
and Auburn in the final. “This is a very close group, perhaps
the closest one I have trained. They really worked hard in the
last two months and showed this weekend what I thought
they were capable of doing this season,” said Razorback’s
coach Brad McMakin.
fourth A-10 crown in seven seasons and first since 2016.
Peng was in contention for an individual title for much of
the day and shot 69 Sunday. He finished tied for second at
5-under. Ian T@ with 74-68-69=211.
Next up for Ian is the NCAA Golf Regionals May 13-15. Best
of luck Ian!
BGGA ALUMNI PENG PUSHES RAMS
INTO A-10 CHAMPIONSHIP LEAD
Freshman Ian Peng fired a second-round 70 to lead
VCU to and eighth-place finish at the rain-soaked Stitch
Intercollegiate at MacGregor Downs Country Club. Peng
shot 75 and 70 in consecutive rounds to become VCU’s top
“I do not know how to describe how I feel. We had a very
mediocre season. We entered the post season with our
heads up and won SEC, which is an incredible achievement.
The SEC is the most competitive golfing conference,
without a doubt. Giving my university triumph after 24 years
is incredible,” said Perico.
Perico said he is focused to support his team with the best
weapons he has. “The coaches recruited me to play well and
I helped them win tournaments. It’s my job, basically. If I’m
not helping the team, I’m not doing my job well. I am very
focused lately, trying to have every part of my game at the
best possible level and trying to enjoy every day,” he added. finisher for the second time this spring. He kicked off his
second round with a birdie on hole No. 13, a 404-yard par 4
Peng carded six birdies in all in the second round and leaped
from 48th in the individual standings to a 24th-place finish.
Perico and Arkansas will undertake a next challenge in the
NCAA Regionals, May 13-15. Congratulations and Good Luck
to One of Our Own, Julian Perico! SPOTTED ON CAMPUS!
VCU CAPTURES 2019 ATLANTIC 10
CHAMPIONSHIP, AND IAN PENG
EARNS MOST OUTSTANDING
ROOKIE PERFORMER AND ALL-
CONFERENCE HONORS.
Three Rams shot 69 or better, including BGGA alumni and
freshman Ian Peng, as VCU outlasted Davidson to claim the
2019 Atlantic 10 Conference title by two strokes. It’s VCU’s
12
THE GATE | MAY 2019
PGA Junior Champions from Shanghai