June 4, 2025
On what is billed as “Golf’s Longest Day,” St. Mary’s University alumnus Emilio Gonzalez (B.B.A. ’20) made St. Mary’s University history by being the first Rattler alumnus to qualify for the U.S. Open.
Gonzalez, who golfed for the Rattlers Men’s Golf team from 2016-2020, qualified for the event Monday on the last day of the 36-hole qualifier. He was a two-time All-American, a semifinalist for the Division II Jack Nicklaus Player of the Year and the 2018 Heartland Conference Player of the Year.
He won seven tournaments throughout his career with the Rattlers and set the program record for single-season scoring average of 71.38 as a sophomore, breaking his own record the following year with a 70.68 average.
On the final day of qualifying, where 10 different sites hosted the events, Gonzalez finished tied for second at the Duke University Golf Club with a 136 (69-67/-4). He is one of seven golfers in the tournament to make the cut and qualify. Gonzalez has four top-10 finishes in 2025 on the Korn Ferry Tour, and he currently ranks 24th on the points list.
He is believed to be the first player from St. Mary’s University to ever qualify for the prestigious U.S. Open, which takes place this year at the Oakmont Country Club in Oakmont, Pa., from June 12-15.