University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Three Cajuns Named Cobalt Golf All-America Scholars
7/25/2024 3:55:00 PM | Golf
Ortego named for second straight year; Cajuns place three on squad for third time in past five seasons
NORMAN, Okla. – Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns golfers Burke Alford, Jake Marler and Eli Ortego were part of a group of 531 Division I student-athletes from 180 schools named on Thursday as a Cobalt Golf All-America Scholar, announced by the Golf Coaches Association of America.
Ortego, the team co-leader in scoring average (72.58), earned All-America Scholar notice for the second consecutive year. The junior played in all 36 rounds for the Ragin' Cajuns during the 2023-24 season and posted five top-20 finishes.
The Lafayette native produced five rounds in the 60's during the season and had 20 rounds of par or better. He posted a season-low (6-under-66) at the Everett Buick GMC Classic during the fall campaign and recorded three straight top-10 finishes during the fall, highlighted by a fourth-place showing at the GMAC Invitational.
Alford played in all 12 events for Louisiana and posted a career-low 74.14 scoring average on the season. The Shreveport native produced a top-10 finish in his 2023-24 debut at the Argent Financial Classic. His best 54-hole finish came at the Ka'anapali Classic Collegiate where he posted rounds of 71-71-66 to finish at 5-under-par 208.
Marler, the team's lone senior in 2023-24, carded a career-low 74.31 on the course in 36 rounds of play. The Shreveport native finished tied for seventh overall at the Everett Buick GMC Classic where he finished at 6-under-210 (69-67-74-210). Marler finished 1-over-par 214 (71-74-69-214) at the Kaanapali Classic Collegiate and was 1-under-215 (70-72-73-215) at the USF Invitational.
To be eligible for Cobalt Golf All-America Scholar nomination, an individual must be a sophomore, junior or senior both academically and athletically in NCAA Division I, II, III, and NAIA, or receiving their Associate's Degree and in their last year of athletic eligibility in the NJCAA.
In addition, they must participate in 50% of their team's competitive rounds, have a stroke average under 76.0 in NCAA Division I, under 78.0 in NCAA Division II, under 79.0 in NCAA Division III, under 78.0 in NAIA, and under 77.0 in NJCAA, and maintain a minimum cumulative career grade-point average of 3.2.
A recipient must also be of high moral character and be in good standing at their college or university.
Fans are encouraged to stay engaged with the Ragin' Cajuns by downloading the #GeauxCajuns app. Click here for iOS/Apple platforms and here for Android platforms.
Follow the Ragin' Cajuns on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram (@RaginCajunsGolf) or check RaginCajuns.com for Louisiana golf updates.
LOUISIANA RAGIN' CAJUNS ALL-AMERICA SCHOLARS
2023-24 – Burke Alford, Jake Marler, Eli Ortego
2022-23 – Eli Ortego, Matt Weber
2020-21 – Hudson Dubinski, Bjorn Gudjonsson, Hunter Hammett
2019-20 – Hudson Dubinski, Bjorn Gudjonsson, Hunter Hammett, Jack Tolson
2018-19 – Jack Tolson
2016-17 – Ragnar Gardarsson, Thomas Strandemo
2015-16 – Ragnar Gardarsson
2014-15 – Thomas Strandemo, Christian Verrougstraete
2011-12 - Philipp Fendt, Andrew Noto
2010-11 - Philipp Fendt
2007-08 – Morgan Landry, Michael Smith
2006-07 – Morgan Landry, Michael Smith
2004-05 – Steven Pena
2003-04 – Tobias Winberg
1999-00 – George Cestia
1998-99 – George Cestia
1997-98 – John Mendell
1994-95 – Bjorn Knutsson
1992-93 – Trey Coker, Mike Etherington
Ortego, the team co-leader in scoring average (72.58), earned All-America Scholar notice for the second consecutive year. The junior played in all 36 rounds for the Ragin' Cajuns during the 2023-24 season and posted five top-20 finishes.
The Lafayette native produced five rounds in the 60's during the season and had 20 rounds of par or better. He posted a season-low (6-under-66) at the Everett Buick GMC Classic during the fall campaign and recorded three straight top-10 finishes during the fall, highlighted by a fourth-place showing at the GMAC Invitational.
Alford played in all 12 events for Louisiana and posted a career-low 74.14 scoring average on the season. The Shreveport native produced a top-10 finish in his 2023-24 debut at the Argent Financial Classic. His best 54-hole finish came at the Ka'anapali Classic Collegiate where he posted rounds of 71-71-66 to finish at 5-under-par 208.
Marler, the team's lone senior in 2023-24, carded a career-low 74.31 on the course in 36 rounds of play. The Shreveport native finished tied for seventh overall at the Everett Buick GMC Classic where he finished at 6-under-210 (69-67-74-210). Marler finished 1-over-par 214 (71-74-69-214) at the Kaanapali Classic Collegiate and was 1-under-215 (70-72-73-215) at the USF Invitational.
To be eligible for Cobalt Golf All-America Scholar nomination, an individual must be a sophomore, junior or senior both academically and athletically in NCAA Division I, II, III, and NAIA, or receiving their Associate's Degree and in their last year of athletic eligibility in the NJCAA.
In addition, they must participate in 50% of their team's competitive rounds, have a stroke average under 76.0 in NCAA Division I, under 78.0 in NCAA Division II, under 79.0 in NCAA Division III, under 78.0 in NAIA, and under 77.0 in NJCAA, and maintain a minimum cumulative career grade-point average of 3.2.
A recipient must also be of high moral character and be in good standing at their college or university.
Fans are encouraged to stay engaged with the Ragin' Cajuns by downloading the #GeauxCajuns app. Click here for iOS/Apple platforms and here for Android platforms.
Follow the Ragin' Cajuns on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram (@RaginCajunsGolf) or check RaginCajuns.com for Louisiana golf updates.
LOUISIANA RAGIN' CAJUNS ALL-AMERICA SCHOLARS
2023-24 – Burke Alford, Jake Marler, Eli Ortego
2022-23 – Eli Ortego, Matt Weber
2020-21 – Hudson Dubinski, Bjorn Gudjonsson, Hunter Hammett
2019-20 – Hudson Dubinski, Bjorn Gudjonsson, Hunter Hammett, Jack Tolson
2018-19 – Jack Tolson
2016-17 – Ragnar Gardarsson, Thomas Strandemo
2015-16 – Ragnar Gardarsson
2014-15 – Thomas Strandemo, Christian Verrougstraete
2011-12 - Philipp Fendt, Andrew Noto
2010-11 - Philipp Fendt
2007-08 – Morgan Landry, Michael Smith
2006-07 – Morgan Landry, Michael Smith
2004-05 – Steven Pena
2003-04 – Tobias Winberg
1999-00 – George Cestia
1998-99 – George Cestia
1997-98 – John Mendell
1994-95 – Bjorn Knutsson
1992-93 – Trey Coker, Mike Etherington
Players Mentioned
Theo Sliman Media Availability (Mar 4, 2024)
Monday, March 04
Head Coach Theo Sliman Media Availability (Mar. 6, 2023)
Monday, March 06
Ragin' Cajuns Legacy Series: The Sliman Golf Family
Wednesday, March 27
34th Annual Louisiana Classics (Day 2)
Tuesday, February 26
