PLNU Athletics

Rick Cole joined the Crusader golf team just about the time Pasadena College was moving to San Diego. Cole, along with his teammates, launched the golf program to new heights, helping Point Loma move to the top of the NAIA District Three—one of the strongest districts in the nation.

Cole was a highly skilled college player and ranks with the best players in Point Loma history, always competing in the number one and two positions. In 1974, he received the Most Outstanding Golfer award with a 73.5 scoring average. Cole’s accomplishments were many, including in 1976 when he finished fourth in the district, medalled in the Azusa Pacific Tournament and finished 11th out of 150 golfers in the Southern California Invitational. For his efforts, Cole was selected as the Crusader Team MVP by his teammates in 1976 and was named to the All-District Golf Team, carrying a 71.8 scoring average with a low round of 67.

His legacy at Point Loma comes from more than individual records, however. Thanks in part to Cole, the golf team finished the regular season with a 13-9 match record, the first time in school history that the Crusaders finished above .500.

“Rick ranks with the best golfers in Crusader history,” said Coach Ben Foster. “He was a very talented and skillful player who thrived on competition. His love, passions and dedication to the game of golf was evident to all who knew him and would serve his team well during his college years. Rick seemed to have a vision for what golf could mean in his life and lived it out as one of the best players in the NAIA District Three throughout his college career and continues today.”

After graduation, Cole moved back to Colorado to pursue his dream of working in the golf industry. He worked as the Head Pro at Eaton Country Club in Eaton, CO for more than 15 years.

The Award for Outstanding Achievement by an Athlete was presented to Cole by Bob Brower.