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This version of NSU News has been archived as of February 28, 2019. To search through archived articles, visit nova.edu/search. To access the new version of NSU News, visit news.nova.edu.
This version of SharkBytes has been archived as of February 28, 2019. To search through archived articles, visit nova.edu/search. To access the new version of SharkBytes, visit sharkbytes.nova.edu.
Alumni Spotlight: Former Shark Star Celia Earns First Pro Tournament Title
Ricardo Celia, three-time NCAA All-American at NSU
Nova Southeastern University men’s golf alum Ricardo Celia won his first professional tournament over the weekend, claiming the All you need is Ecuador Open title.
Celia, a three-time NCAA All-American while at NSU, turned pro at this very same event a year ago, and shot under par each of the four rounds in Quito, Ecuador, for a three-stroke victory. With a total of 9-under 275, he earned $31,500 for the victory, moving him all the way up to fifth on the PGA Tour Latinoamérica Order of Merit, the tour’s money list.
“It was great fun to compete and play in the last group Saturday and Sunday,” said Celia. “I played really well from tee to green and (my) putting was on fire this week. It was so important to get my first victory as a pro, hopefully the first one of many.”
In the year in which he has joined PGA Tour Latinoamérica, Celia has played in 15 events. He has made more than half of the cuts, with this weekend being his fourth top-25 finish, and his first in the top 10.
“The transition to pro golf was drastic,” he said. “During college you get to travel with four other guys and have a blast. As a pro, many times you travel by yourself and the tension is a lot higher because you have to deal with cuts and more competition too.”
Celia, a member of the first-ever NSU men’s National Championship-winning team, still keeps up with his former squad, and relished in them taking home their second title a year ago.
“I obviously follow the Sharks, one of my best friends still plays on the team and I always root for them,” he said. “I got very excited when they won Nationals last year and hopefully they win it again this year. They need to keep doing what they have been doing these last couple years. The team is in great hands with Ryan Jamison, a responsible coach and team leader.”
The next match on PGA TOUR Latinoamérica will be the Volvo Colombian Classic, presented by Arturo Calle. It will take place in Bogota, Colombia, beginning this Thursday.