LOS CABOS, Mexico — With the fall season being over for Eastern Washington men's golf, junior
Hogan Park took the time off to qualify for his first PGA Tour Event. Park competed as an amateur in the World Wide Technology Championship earlier this month(Nov. 7-8), playing at the El Cardonal at Diamante Golf Course in Los Cabos, Mexico.
"It was super citing and nerve wracking to be able to play in a PGA event and competing with the best in the world," Park described. "The biggest thing I think I learned was that competing with the best in the world is extremely difficult, but it's not out of reach for me. I think the experience itself will give me a lot of confidence moving forward. The knowledge I gained from other pros is something I will be able to use in the future."
Playing his first career professional event, Park shot +10 (254) in two rounds. After shooting an 82 in the opening round, Park bounced back with a 72 in round two. Despite the rally, Park missed the cut at the championships. El Cardonal at Diamante was 7,452 yards and par was set at 72.
American Ben Griffin won the event, shooting -29 (259) in the championships.
Park qualified for the World Wide Technology Championships after tying for third at the qualifying event in Palmilla Golf Course in San Jose Del Cabo, Mexico. In the qualifier, Park was -6 (66), making two birdies on the front nine and four on the back nine.
Eastern Washington men's golf head coach Russell Grove expressed his excitement seeing Park compete professionally, "I was beyond thrilled for Hogan to qualify for the WWT Championship. I was frantically refreshing the last nine holes and playoff to see the results. To see him get in was a huge excitement and just knowing what it will do for his confidence moving forward. Playing in a PGA tour event is a really big deal and only a small number of golfers accomplish that feat. I know he learned a lot that week and I'm especially excited to see how that week positively translates to his performance this spring. I feel like that will give him a surge of confidence."
As an amateur in a professional event, Park talked about playing and meeting current pros on the PGA tour, "Rico Hoey was the PGA player I was looking forward to seeing. I'm friends with Rico and we practiced at the same golf course. He is someone that I have always looked up to because of the way he carries himself and the attitude he has on-and-off the course. Rico is also someone that has always been very kind to me and constantly gave me great advice, even though he didn't have to. He even bought me dinner to congratulate me on being able to qualify into this event. That is just the kind of person he is. He is not only an incredible player, but he is an even better person. I think that is so cool."
Hoey tied for 21st on the leaderboard in Los Cabos, shooting -18 (270). He turned pro in 2017 and has $808,312 career earnings. Originally from Manila, Philippines, Hoey played collegiately at the University of Southern California.
During the Eagles' fall schedule, Park played in all four tournaments for the team. At the Mark Simpson Invitational in Erie, Colo., Park shot -1 (215) and landed in a tie for 52nd on the individual leaderboard. Park also turned in a +3 (219) at The Tindall in Bremerton, Wash. to tie for 44th.
Park covered the difference between playing at the pro college levels, "There are a lot of huge differences between a college event and a professional event. I would say that the biggest difference is that you are playing for yourself instead of a team. I think that professionals are a lot more strategic in their golf game and play holes a lot more safely when they have to, whereas college players are not a s strategic and might be more willing to attack pins."
Park transferred to Eastern in the offseason from Loyola Marymount, where he played in four events for the Lions last season (2024-25). He also spent one season at UNLV (2023-24).
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