Virginia’s Ben James wins 2023 Phil Mickelson Award, signifying nation’s top freshman golfer
Virginia’s Ben James has been named winner of the 2023 Phil Mickelson Award, the Golf Coaches Association of America announced Thursday.
James had an incredible campaign that ended Tuesday after guiding the Cavaliers into the NCAA Men’s Golf Championship match play quarterfinals. James finished sixth at 4-under 276 in the stroke play portion of the national championship. It was Virginia’s first time making match play at the NCAA Championship.
He won five times this year, including two of his first three starts, and shared medalist honors at the Las Vegas Regional.
In 13 starts, James tallied 11 top-10 finishes.
James also earned an automatic selection on next week’s Arnold Palmer Cup team, a Ryder Cup-style event that takes place June 8-10 at Laurel Valley Golf Club in Ligonier, Pennsylvania.
