Since the 2021–2022 season, Schaloum and head coach Mark Mueller have experienced tremendous success, winning two WAC titles and participating in two NCAA Regional Tournaments. The program’s inaugural WAC title, which took place in Boulder City, Nevada in record breaking fashion, was in 2022–2023. After winning three games as a team and two as individuals in the previous season, the Lopes successfully defended their title in Payson, Arizona, this past April.
Our accomplishments over the past three seasons have been greatly attributed to Coach Schaloum, Mueller said. “It’s been great winning two conference titles with him, and it’s even better because he played here as well.” I can’t wait to work with our coaches and players again in the upcoming season.”
From 2021–2022 Schaloum has coached eight All–WAC players, four of whom were first team selections. As the second Lope to win the title since the school joined the conference in 2013, Nicky Kling was named the WAC Golfer of the Year this past spring.
This acknowledges our efforts in player development and recruitment in a significant way, according to Schaloum. “These have been incredibly successful years for us, highlighted by back-to-back WAC titles and our highest ranking to date. That has only been made possible by having a group of guys who are incredibly motivated and hardworking. Great players are the only ones who can ever give a coach any recognition. I’m happy to accompany them on their journey.”
In competition, Schaloum has been a vital member of the team, assisting in the success of Tommaso Zorzetto and Gavin O’Neill. Following his recent selection to the All-WAC First Team, Zorzetto will play one more season in 2024–2025 and enters the competition as one of the league’s best players to watch. O’Neill recently finished his first-year campaign among the conference’s top players in his class.
“Even we’re just getting started,” Schaloum remarked. It is a great credit to the university that we have some elite players coming back and joining us for the upcoming campaign. Phoenix is the destination of choice for the world’s top players, and GCU has all the tools necessary to succeed.