Senior men’s golfer Ben James was named a semifinalist for the Ben Hogan Award, presented by Baird, for the third consecutive year, according to an April 16 announcement. James is one of only 12 college golfers ever to be a three-time semifinalist for this award.
The Ben Hogan Award recognizes the top men’s college golfer across NCAA Division I, II or III, NAIA or NJCAA based on results from collegiate, amateur and professional events over the previous year. An international selection committee of 40 leaders in golf votes during each stage of the process.
James is among ten semifinalists this year and is one of two representing the Atlantic Coast Conference. He has finished in the top five in all eight collegiate events this season and shared first place at the Ben Hogan Collegiate Invitational last September. He also helped Virginia achieve five team wins this season, tying a school record set during 2016-17. James currently holds the No. 1 spot on PGA Tour University Rankings and is ranked No. 2 on both World Amateur Golf Rankings and Scoreboard individual rankings after finishing regular season play at the Lewis Chitengwa Memorial Tournament in Charlottesville.
The award has been given annually at Colonial Country Club since 2002 and marks its twenty-fifth anniversary in Fort Worth this year. The original trophy was awarded by Friends of Golf at Bel-Air Country Club beginning in 1990 under different criteria.
Three finalists will be announced on Tuesday, May 12, with the winner revealed live during a black-tie dinner in Fort Worth on Monday, May 25.
