Norman, OK – Former Indian Hills Men's Golf standout Gaspar Glaudas (Sainte Tulle, France/Shattuck St-Mary's) has added another prestigious honor to his collection of accolades. Following a historic year with the Warriors in 2024, Glaudas has been named the Gary Player International Golfer of the Year, presented by FlightScope
The top-ranked National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) DI Men's Golf individual throughout the duration of the 2023-24 season, Glaudas is one of just five recipients to receive the inaugural Gary Player International Golfer of the Year award. Selected by the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA), the award, which is named after one of golf's 'Big Three', honored the top individual golfer from the NCAA DI, DII, DIII, NAIA, and NJCAA levels.
"Education and golf can be gateways to the world, and I am honored and proud that the Golf Coaches Association of America has named an award after me and one that will recognize the achievements of international golfers in the USA," said World Golf Hall of Famer, Gary Player. "I hope this honor will help inspire international golfers, honing their skills in the United States, to strive for even more success on and off the golf course and that this award will be won by future international superstars."
Glaudas' remarkable 2023-24 season saw the sophomore lead the Warriors to another top-10 finish at the NJCAA DI Men's Golf National Championship in Hobbs, NM. For his efforts on the course and in the classroom, Glaudas was recognized as the 2023-24 Iowa Community College Athletic Conference (ICCAC) Male Student-Athlete of the Year. Glaudas earned NJCAA and PING All-American honors while garnering six ICCAC Athlete of the Week honors, a pair of SwingU GCAA Golfer of the Month honors, and the SwingU GCAA Golfer of the Fall award.
Glaudas collected two individual tournament titles during his sophomore campaign, a victory at the Big O Classic and medalist honors at the Western Illinois Intercollegiate. Glaudas posted eight consecutive top-10 finishes over the team's final 10 tournaments, inlcuding a runner-up finish at the NJCAA Central District Championship and an eighth-place showing at the NJCAA National Championship to close out the year.
Glaudas, who will continue his academic and athletic career at Stetson University this fall, posted 16 of his 32 rounds in the 60's this year for an average of -2.9 under par/round.
The Gary Player Award is selected by GCAA International member coaches with representation from around the world.
GLAUDAS' FILE
- 2024 Gary Player International Golfer of the Year
- 2023-24 ICCAC Male Student-Athlete of the Year
- 2024 PING NJCAA DI Men's Golf 1st Team All-American
- 2024 NJCAA DI Men's Golf 2nd Team All-American
- 2023 NJCAA DI Men's Golf 1st Team All-American
- 2023 NJCAA GCAA All-Freshman Team
- 2x PING NJCAA DI Men's Golf All-District
- Ben Hogan Award Watch List
- Arnold Palmer Cup Candidate
- 3x SwingU GCAA Golfer of the Month
- 2024 SwingU GCAA Golfer of the Fall
- 7x ICCAC DI Men's Golf Athlete of the Week
- 3x ICCAC All-Academic Team
- Committed to Stetson University for 2024-25
About Golf Coaches Association of America
Established in 1958, the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA) is the professional organization of men's collegiate golf coaches. The GCAA's mission is to support its member coaches from six divisions, including the NCAA, NAIA, and NJCAA, by creating educational opportunities, providing resources, and promoting its members with the purpose of enhancing their overall performance as coaches, mentors, and teachers. The GCAA also recognizes the excellence and achievements of its members and their student-athletes in academic, athletic, and civic endeavors.
About Gary Player
Considered one of golf's "Big Three" with Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player has left an everlasting impact on the game of golf by being a worldwide ambassador, philanthropist, and golf course designer. One of only five golfers and the only one not from the United States to win the career grand slam, Player has continuously used his position to improve the lives of others in a positive way as a humanitarian and has focused strongly on education for the underprivileged. He is a member of the Laureus World Sports Academy, which celebrates sport's ability to create positive change in the world. Player's outstanding career has included 165 professional wins on six continents over seven decades and was acknowledged with being inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1974, the Laureus Lifetime Achievement Award in 2003, the PGA TOUR's Lifetime Achievement Award for Outstanding Services to Golf in 2012, and a Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2020.