Andres Gonzales, a former touring professional golfer and Rebel All-American, has been appointed as the fourth full-time head coach in the history of the UNLV men’s golf program. This was announced by Director of Athletics Erick Harper.
Gonzales competed as a Rebel from 2003 to 2006, proudly representing UNLV on the course. He returns to Las Vegas after a professional career that included five years on the PGA Tour and six on the Korn Ferry Tour. Most recently, he was part of the PGA Tour LIVE broadcast team on ESPN+ from 2022 to 2026. In addition, he is also the co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of PLT Golf, a luxury golf and athleisure apparel brand.
Gonzales’ Pedigree
At UNLV, Gonzales was a PING Third-Team All-American, Mountain West all-conference and academic all-conference honoree, and Ben Hogan Award semifinalist. During his four years, he won the 2006 William H. Tucker Invitational. He also led the team with a 72.08 scoring average in 2005-06. Additionally, he posted 14 top-20 finishes, including five top-10 and three top-5 results. His career scoring average of 72.79 ranks 21st in program history. By competing for UNLV, Gonzales left a lasting impact on the school’s golf legacy.
Gonzales helped his teams reach the NCAA Championship twice. Also, the teams reached the NCAA Regional three times, earning five team victories, including the 2005 NCAA West Regional. Individually, he competed in two NCAA Championship finals, tying for eighth in 2005. He placed 12th twice at the Mountain West Championship and earned a top-15 finish at an NCAA Regional. Gonzales achieved 15 top-25 finishes, including one top-3, three top-5, and six top-10 results. Furthermore, he also competed in two major championships: the 2011 U.S. Open at Congressional Country Club and the 2012 U.S. Open at The Olympic Club. His journey exemplifies the success of a true UNLV athlete who excelled nationally.
Gonzales earned his PGA Tour card through Q-School in December 2010. During his 15-year professional career, he won twice on the former Web.com Tour (now the Korn Ferry Tour), claimed the 2009 Saskatchewan Open on the Canadian Tour, and won two Gateway Tour titles. Many UNLV alumni have made marks in the golf world by following similar paths.
Gonzales’ Roots
Originally from Olympia, Washington, Gonzales earned a Bachelor of Science in communication studies in 2006. He and his wife, Kristin, have three children. His time at UNLV shaped both his academic and athletic achievements.
At UNLV, Gonzales will lead a nationally recognized collegiate golf program. The Rebels have qualified for NCAA Regionals 34 times, with 13 top-8 finishes. They have also reached the NCAA Championship 23 times, winning the national title in 1998. The program has produced two individual national champions, and UNLV alumni have earned 34 PGA Tour victories, including 2013 Masters champion Adam Scott.
Gonzales is the first former player to serve as head coach of the Rebel men’s golf program and the ninth UNLV alumnus from any sport to be named head coach at the university. Michael “Chub” Drakulich was UNLV’s first full-time head golf coach in 1972, followed by Hall of Fame coach Dwaine Knight in 1987 and Jean-Paul Hebert in 2022. This continues a tradition of coaching excellence at UNLV.
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Eric Butler is a Contributor for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on Instagram and X via @ReportandOpine
