CLEMSON, S.C. — Clemson golfers Thomas Higgins, Colin Salema and Rich Wills have all been named 2025-26 Cobalt Golf All-America Scholars for NCAA Division I have been announced by the Golf Coaches Association of America.
For Higgins it marked the second time he was named to the team, as he was also chosen in 2025. He finished fourth on the team in stroke average last season as a senior (73.03) and had four top 10 finishes to tie for the team lead. The best round of his year was at the Mountaineer Invitational when he had a second round 66 and finished second individually in a loaded field.
Salema earned All-America Scholar honors for the first time this season. He was fifth in stroke average for the Tigers this season as a sophomore (73.09). He turned in five rounds in the 60s and had 10 under-par rounds. Additionally, his 107 birdies ranked second on the team, including three eagles. He had a run of 39-straight bogey free holes at the NCAA Regional, the longest run by a Clemson player since Jacob Bridgeman had 47 in a row.
Wills, like Salema, earned his first All-America Scholar honor by the GCAA. Wills finished third on the team in stroke average (72.57). He finished 26th at the NCAA Regional (3-under-par), including a match play win against North Carolina. He totaled 94 birdies and three eagles. He had the best round among Clemson golfers eight times.
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, 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.