After a remarkable season in which he led the UNC men’s golf team in a wide variety of categories, junior Carter Jenkins said Tuesday he will forego his final year of college eligibility in order to become a professional.
An All-ACC selection in 2016, Jenkins–who spent a year and a half in Chapel Hill after transferring from UNC-Greensboro–had three top-10s in 11 starts with a season-best second-place finish at the Primland Collegiate Invitational.
He also tied the school record for lowest round under par by shooting a 63 (good enough for 9-under-par) in the final round at Primland.
Jenkins (right) led the Tar Heels in 2016 by finishing 14 of his 32 rounds under par. (Jeffrey A. Camarati/ UNC Athletics)
Jenkins’ professional debut is scheduled for May 26 at the Freedom 55 Financial Open at the Point Grey Golf and Country Club in Vancouver–as part of the Mackenzie Tour, which is essentially the Canadian PGA Tour.
“My time at UNC was very special – it matured me as a person and a golfer and allowed me to make friendships with my coaches and teammates that will last my lifetime,” Jenkins said, in a press release.
“Professional golf is something I have worked for my whole life and it has always been my number one goal to win on the PGA Tour.”
Prior to joining the Tar Heels, Jenkins was named the Southern Conference Rookie of the Year for his achievements in Greensboro.
He won two events for the Spartans, and earned All-Conference honors as well.
And as far as amateur success is concerned, there aren’t too many other golfers out there who can match Jenkins’ resume.
The Raleigh native won eight Carolinas Golf Association titles–including the 2015 North Carolina Amateur–and three consecutive Carolinas Amateurs. In doing so, he became the first player in 92 years to win the Carolinas Amateur in three straight years.
“Carter has a wonderful opportunity to play on the PGA Tour Canada, and we are excited for this next step in his golf career,” UNC head coach Andrew Sapp said of his top player.
“We will definitely miss him next season, but support him reaching for his goals to make it to the PGA Tour,” Sapp continued. “He has been a pleasure to coach and he will forever be a Tar Heel.”
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