St. Mary’s Golf alumnus reaches PGA Tour with gratitude in mind
St. Mary’s University
1 Camino Santa Maria San Antonio, TX 78228
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William Joseph Chaminade
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Rattler Golf alumnus reaches PGA Tour with gratitude in mind
Athletics and Recreation
December 09, 2025
by Charles Perez (M.A. ’25)
After a strenuous summer of golf tournaments on the Korn Ferry Tour, known as a development tour for golf’s legendary PGA Tour, Emilio Gonzalez Ramirez (B.B.A. ’20) walked into September’s Albertsons Boise Open, his sixth tournament in a row, tired but determined to prove something before the end of the regular season.
Emilio Gonzalez Ramirez (B.B.A. ’20) tees off.
The breakthrough he wanted started to take shape when he began the fourth round with an eagle (completing a hole two strokes under par) at the first hole. With that dream start, Gonzalez worked to keep his momentum.
With the last few holes still yet to be played, the possibility of winning started to sink in.
“Honestly, I kind of blacked out during the last seven holes,” Gonzalez said. “I knew the situation I was in, and I knew that if I had a special finish, I could win the tournament.”
Gonzalez’s hard work paid off. With his first-place finish, he has earned a spot on the 2026 PGA Tour.
Reflections of gratitude
After a whirlwind of media and celebration, the only thing on his mind was a flood of gratitude and flashbacks.
“I remember sitting in the locker room after everything happened, and I couldn’t stop thinking about my fiancé, my parents, my siblings, my friends back home in Mexico, here in Charlotte and San Antonio and my whole support system at St. Mary’s University,” Gonzalez said. “I have no words to thank all those who have been a part of my journey. When I write in my journal, I always find myself writing a lot about how grateful I am to have that support around me.”
As the rising golf star prepares to venture into the next phase of his professional career, Gonzalez reflected on the development and transformation he experienced at the University.
“St. Mary’s taught me the value of community, love and respect for others and myself,” he said. “It gave me all the tools that I needed to grow as a human and as a golfer. It’s a place that will always have a special place in my heart.”
The University’s Director of Golf, Connor McCarthy, shared what Gonzalez’s achievement means for St. Mary’s.
“Emilio Gonzalez earning his PGA Tour card isn’t just a personal milestone, it’s a defining moment for St. Mary’s and Rattler Golf,” he said. “His success puts our Golf program on the national map and shows every Rattler that greatness can be forged right here.”
Growing up in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, Gonzalez spent many days watching his father, uncle and older brother golf recreationally and in local tournaments. Recognizing his boundless energy and curiosity, his family taught him to swing a golf club at age 4 and entered him in his first tournament at 6.
When it came time to choose a university, the offers to play collegiate golf didn’t pour in. His sister, Maria Regina Gonzalez Ramirez (B.B.A. ’19, M.B.A. ’20), played golf at St. Mary’s and encouraged her coaches to keep an eye out for her brother.
“St. Mary’s taught me the value of community, love and respect for others and myself,”
Emilio Gonzalez Ramirez (B.B.A. ’20)
The coaches, impressed with his technique and work ethic, invited Gonzalez to join the Rattler Men’s Golf Team.
He won seven golf tournaments and set the golf program record for a single season, scoring an average of 71.38 as a sophomore while studying Management in the Greehey School of Business. He broke his own scoring average record the following year with a 70.68 average.
Student-athletes like Gonzalez have the unique college experience of being expected to excel in their athletic performances while being a model student. Stephanie G. Ward, Ph.D., Vice Provost for Vocation and Career Services and Professor of Management, knows how important it is to support student-athletes.
Emilio Gonzalez Ramirez with his trophy from the Albertsons Boise Open.
Not only was Ward his academic adviser, but she was also one of the first people Gonzalez told of his desire to be a professional golfer. The interaction left a lasting impression on Gonzalez.
“She was incredible to me,” said Gonzalez of the indelible mentorship moment. “Ever since I first told her, she was super supportive, which I really appreciated.”
Ward said many students come to St. Mary’s “wondering if dreams are truly possible.” It is the mentor’s responsibility, she added, “to walk alongside them, saying, ‘Yes, it is possible.’”
“Being able to support Emilio and help him visualize being a pro golfer was a gift for me,” Ward said. “Seeing now that he has achieved that important step of being on the PGA Tour gives hope to others that dreams are possible to achieve. When you believe, you soar.”
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