UCLA rising senior Alex Papayoanou has been named a Cobalt Golf All-America Scholar for the 2026 season. The honor is the first of his collegiate career and recognizes student-athletes who maintain academic and athletic excellence.
To qualify, athletes must play at least half of their team's rounds, average under 76.0 strokes in NCAA competition, and hold a minimum 3.2 GPA. Papayoanou met these standards with an average of 72.9 over 34 rounds and nine starts.
The Woodlands, Texas, native played in 11 tournaments for the Bruins in 2025-26, including a top-10 finish and three top-20 placements. He shot six rounds under par, including a season-low 67 at The Goodwin in March 2026. UCLA now has its fourth consecutive All-America Scholar selection. Pablo Ereño earned the honor in 2023, 2024, and 2025 before graduating in 2025.
Papayoanou’s road to the award
Before earning the All-America Scholar honor, Papayoanou won Academic All-Big Ten Team accolades in the spring of 2025 and 2026. He helped UCLA reach the NCAA championship match in Carlsbad, California, where he competed in four days of stroke play and match-play rounds.
What’s next for the Bruins
With Papayoanou entering his senior season, the Bruins remain a contender in the national rankings.