Oklahoma State University Athletics
Our Most Important Day
September 11, 2022 | Cowboy Golf
On Friday, Oklahoma State's men's golf team held its annual Cowboy Pro-Am at Karsten Creek, marking the 50th anniversary of the event, which began in 1973 at Stillwater Country Club.
Among the attendees was former Cowboy All-American Austin Eckroat, who last week, secured his PGA Tour card after finishing second in the Korn Ferry Tour Championship and third on the points total for the season.
Eckroat began the year with conditional status, which meant that he had to Monday-qualify for the events near the start of the season. After grinding it out throughout the year, he along with former teammate Sam Stevens clinched their PGA Tour cards on Sept. 6.
"I finally got the opportunity," Eckroat said. "Once I got the opportunity, I took advantage of it. I was playing good all year it's hard to get the opportunity, and once you do you have to take advantage of it. Luckily, I did."
Also in attendance was two-time All-American and winner on the PGA Tour, Bo Van Pelt.
"It's great to be back," Van Pelt said. "Lots of great memories and it's just another thing that sets Oklahoma State golf apart. When you see the people that come to these, the money they raise and the guys that come back, it's a special day."
Another attendee of the 50th anniversary was the founder of the first Cowboy Pro-Am, former Athletics Director and OSU men's golf head coach, Mike Holder.
Holder was at the heart of it all for the first Pro-Am that was held 50 years ago. Without him, there would be no Pro-Am every year, nor would there be 10 national championships since the first tournament was held.
"In 1973, we were just trying to pay the bills," Holder said. "Boone Pickens and Sherman Smith and Jerry Walsh showed up together and they never missed a Pro-Am from there forward. Those guys and a bunch of other people are responsible for 10 national championships in 50 years, we built this golf course. Everything that happened for athletics and all the renovation of the athletic village and the football stadium, 400-million dollars' worth of stuff and the billion-dollar campaign by the university, it all started here, and it was only possible because of this Pro-Am."
This year's Pro-Am was once again a huge success, raising $1.3 million for the Cowboy Golf Team.
Â
Among the attendees was former Cowboy All-American Austin Eckroat, who last week, secured his PGA Tour card after finishing second in the Korn Ferry Tour Championship and third on the points total for the season.
Eckroat began the year with conditional status, which meant that he had to Monday-qualify for the events near the start of the season. After grinding it out throughout the year, he along with former teammate Sam Stevens clinched their PGA Tour cards on Sept. 6.
"I finally got the opportunity," Eckroat said. "Once I got the opportunity, I took advantage of it. I was playing good all year it's hard to get the opportunity, and once you do you have to take advantage of it. Luckily, I did."
Also in attendance was two-time All-American and winner on the PGA Tour, Bo Van Pelt.
"It's great to be back," Van Pelt said. "Lots of great memories and it's just another thing that sets Oklahoma State golf apart. When you see the people that come to these, the money they raise and the guys that come back, it's a special day."
Another attendee of the 50th anniversary was the founder of the first Cowboy Pro-Am, former Athletics Director and OSU men's golf head coach, Mike Holder.
Holder was at the heart of it all for the first Pro-Am that was held 50 years ago. Without him, there would be no Pro-Am every year, nor would there be 10 national championships since the first tournament was held.
"In 1973, we were just trying to pay the bills," Holder said. "Boone Pickens and Sherman Smith and Jerry Walsh showed up together and they never missed a Pro-Am from there forward. Those guys and a bunch of other people are responsible for 10 national championships in 50 years, we built this golf course. Everything that happened for athletics and all the renovation of the athletic village and the football stadium, 400-million dollars' worth of stuff and the billion-dollar campaign by the university, it all started here, and it was only possible because of this Pro-Am."
This year's Pro-Am was once again a huge success, raising $1.3 million for the Cowboy Golf Team.
Â
The Changing Face of College Athletics - Inside OSU Athletics with Chad Weiberg
Friday, May 08
Oklahoma State vs. TCU | Condensed Game Highlights (05-03-2026)
Sunday, May 03
Oklahoma State vs Kansas | Condensed Game Highlights 5-3-26
Sunday, May 03
Oklahoma State vs Kansas | Condensed Game Highlights 5-1-26
Saturday, May 02
