For Missouri S&T senior Cole Komyati, “drive” is more than a golf term: it’s a way of life.
A lifetime on the links
Komyati grew up in Gulf Shores, Alabama. When he was four years old, his grandfather, Carlyle, built him his first set of golf clubs.
He started competing in tournaments at age 8.
Cole Komyati has been playing golf since he was a child. Photo submitted by Cole Komyati.
“I’ve been playing for a long time,” he says. “I knew I wanted to play college golf since I was 12 or 13. Since I was young, I just always wanted to get better and better.”
A balancing act
Komyati’s junior year on the S&T Men’s Golf Team was successful. He’s ranked among the nation’s top 70 golfers, honored for his academics and named to the PING All-Region Team. He earned a spot on the GLVC All-Academic Team, being named to the College Sports Communicators’ Academic All-District Team, and receiving honors as a Cobalt Golf All-America Scholar.
As a double major in mechanical engineering and engineering management, he works hard both on the course and in the classroom, finding his swing in both.
“It really comes down to time management,” Komyati says. “We’re practicing four hours a day on top of classes, so you have to plan ahead.”
Cole Komyati, a double major in mechanical engineering and engineering management, balances academics with varsity golf.
Photo by Michael Pierce/Missouri S&T.
Komyati said having a tight-knit team willing to help each other makes that balance possible.
“We’re all pretty close. Everyone always supports each other and strives to make each other better,” he says. “It’s great to have people to study with, and even upperclassmen who had already taken those classes help us. That support makes a big difference.”
Jeppe Thybo, a physics graduate and former golfer, tutored Komyati.
“I would go to him twice a week,” Komyati says. “He never said no. That support meant a lot to me.”
Planning pays off
Balancing academics and athletics has been a defining part of Komyati’s experience at S&T. Now, he has advice for incoming students: plan things out ahead of time.
“That makes it less chaotic, especially as assignments pile up,” he says. “Whether it’s classes, extracurriculars or athletics, having a schedule helps you stay on top of everything.”
Komyati says don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it.
“Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors. Even if they seem strict at first, they want you to succeed,” he says. “They’ll help if you ask. They’re not going to push you away.”
Swinging into nationals
The team closed a historic 2025 season with a 4-1 loss to Wingate in the quarterfinals at Nationals, but not without impressive performances.
Cole Komyati started competing in tournaments at age 8. Photo submitted by Cole Komyati.
Komyati turned in his second-best round at nationals, shooting 3-under and holding an early lead throughout his match. While the team didn’t advance, the season marked a milestone for S&T golf: six tournament wins, the program’s first Great Lakes Valley Conference title, top three finishes in every stroke-play event and the first-ever appearance in match play at nationals.
“I think everyone on the team works really hard,” Komyati says. “ A lot of them might not see the results they want, but they put in the effort and don’t take enough credit for it. They’re balancing school and golf just like I am: going to workouts, practicing, managing everything. It shows they care, and I think that dedication deserves recognition.”
Beyond the fairway
In the future, Komyati hopes to become a project manager, applying the same discipline and focus he has cultivated on the golf course to his professional life.
“I’ve learned a lot about teamwork, focus and planning through golf and school,” Komyati says. “I want to carry those lessons into my career and take on projects that challenge me.”
