Completing the trifecta, Pak wins the Nicklaus Award
6/6/2021 | by Golf Coaches Association of America
see also: Jack Nicklaus Award, Golf Coaches Association of America
Florida State's John Pak is the second straight player to sweep the Haskins, Hogan and Nicklaus Awards as the top male collegian
John Pak of Florida State, Andrew Beckler of Washburn, Guilford’s James Mishoe, Point’s Ruan Pretorius, and Ben Partridge of Hutchinson Community College were named the recipients of the 2021 Jack Nicklaus Award, presented by True Spec Golf. The Nicklaus Award recognizes the top players at the Division I, II, III, NAIA, and NJCAA levels.
“If you look at the records of these recipients, each one put together dominating seasons and are very deserving of this honor,” Jack Nicklaus said.
Division I: Pak, the Seminoles senior, was a PING First-Team All-American selection and an All-Region and All-ACC selection. Pak ended his career with school records for individual wins (eight) and scoring average (69.87). Receiving the Haskins, Hogan, and now the Nicklaus Award, Pak completes the second straight collegiate golf Triple Crown, following Pepperdine’s Sahith Theegala, who did so in 2020.
“I’ve had a chance to spend some time with John Pak at Florida State,” said Nicklaus. “He’s had one of the most decorated collegiate careers in recent history, and I expect him to enjoy success at the next level. As important, John’s a good young man, who represents himself, his university and the game very well.”
Division II: Beckler set the school record for season scoring average during the 2020-21 season, with a 70.42 average through 26 rounds. In 10 events, Beckler took home five individual titles, while finishing in the top five in the remaining events. The Ichabod senior finished second at the NCAA Division II Championship, the best individual finish in Washburn school history.
Division III: Finishing the season as the top ranked player in the Golfstat rankings, Mishoe capped off his senior season with a 71.31 scoring average. The Cary, North Carolina native was 75-2 against Golfstat top 100 DIII players.
NAIA: Pretorius, a native of South Africa, was the top-ranked NAIA player in Golfstat at season's end. Making the GCAAAll-Region South team and being named to the NAIA PING First-Team All-American team, Pretorius carried a 71.53 scoring average and was a combined 81-2 against Golfstat’s top 100 NAIA players.
NJCAA: Partridge was instrumental in helping Hutchinson CC win their first National Championship, as he defeated teammate, Harry Crockett, in a playoff for medalist honors. The native of London, England, finished the 2020-21 season as the top-ranked NJCAA player via Golfstat. He also boasts an undefeated 82-0 record against Golfstat’s top 100 NJCAA players.
Nicklaus, a Big Ten and NCAA Champion at The Ohio State University, helped inspire and create the Jack Nicklaus Award in 1988, and it is now presented to the National Player of the year in NCAA Divisions I, II and III, as well as NAIA and NJCAA.
“If you look at the records of these recipients, each one put together dominating seasons and are very deserving of this honor,” Jack Nicklaus said.
“I’ve had a chance to spend some time with John Pak at Florida State,” said Nicklaus. “He’s had one of the most decorated collegiate careers in recent history, and I expect him to enjoy success at the next level. As important, John’s a good young man, who represents himself, his university and the game very well.”
Division II: Beckler set the school record for season scoring average during the 2020-21 season, with a 70.42 average through 26 rounds. In 10 events, Beckler took home five individual titles, while finishing in the top five in the remaining events. The Ichabod senior finished second at the NCAA Division II Championship, the best individual finish in Washburn school history.
Division III: Finishing the season as the top ranked player in the Golfstat rankings, Mishoe capped off his senior season with a 71.31 scoring average. The Cary, North Carolina native was 75-2 against Golfstat top 100 DIII players.
NAIA: Pretorius, a native of South Africa, was the top-ranked NAIA player in Golfstat at season's end. Making the GCAAAll-Region South team and being named to the NAIA PING First-Team All-American team, Pretorius carried a 71.53 scoring average and was a combined 81-2 against Golfstat’s top 100 NAIA players.
NJCAA: Partridge was instrumental in helping Hutchinson CC win their first National Championship, as he defeated teammate, Harry Crockett, in a playoff for medalist honors. The native of London, England, finished the 2020-21 season as the top-ranked NJCAA player via Golfstat. He also boasts an undefeated 82-0 record against Golfstat’s top 100 NJCAA players.
Nicklaus, a Big Ten and NCAA Champion at The Ohio State University, helped inspire and create the Jack Nicklaus Award in 1988, and it is now presented to the National Player of the year in NCAA Divisions I, II and III, as well as NAIA and NJCAA.
About the Nicklaus Award
The Jack Nicklaus Award recognizes the national men's college player of the year at the Division I, II, III, NAIA, and NJCAA levels. Nicklaus, a Big Ten and NCAA Champion at Ohio State, helped inspire and create the Jack Nicklaus Award in 1988.
Most Popular Articles
2025 PGA TOUR Q-School Guide: Sites, Scores, and Who Advanced
Dec 5, 2025Second Stage is complete and Final Stage awaits at Sawgrass — follow every Q-School leaderboard and the players still chasing
2025 LPGA TOUR Q-Series: Final Qualifying Stage FINAL SCORING
Dec 8, 2025Helen Briem earns medalist honors, 31 players headed to the LPGA next year
Australian Open at Royal Melbourne: Preview, amateur bios, and how to watch
Nov 30, 2025Rory McIlroy headlines one of the championship's top fields in years - at least four amateurs will have their chance at glory
Luke Ringkamp Cruises to Rolex Tournament of Champions Title at TPC San Antonio
Nov 26, 2025One week after committing to Pepperdine, Luke Ringkamp won the Rolex Tournament of Champions by nine shots.
Inside Gil Hanse’s Restoration of Baltusrol’s Upper Course: A Return to Tillinghast’s
Dec 11, 2025Renowned architect Gil Hanse reveals how he brought Baltusrol’s Upper Course back to life by honoring A.W. Tillinghast’s original