Three members of the Illinois State men’s golf team have been named 2024-25 NCAA Division I Cobalt Golf All-America Scholars. The honorees are TJ Barger, Pietro Pontiggia, and Will Troy.
To qualify for the Cobalt Golf All-America Scholar recognition, athletes must be sophomores, juniors, or seniors academically and athletically in NCAA Division I, II, III, or NAIA programs. Those in their final year of eligibility in the NJCAA who are receiving an associate’s degree may also be nominated. Additional requirements include participation in at least half of their team’s competitive rounds, maintaining a stroke average below 76.0 for NCAA Division I players, and holding a minimum cumulative career grade-point average of 3.2. Recipients must also demonstrate high moral character and remain in good standing at their institution.
Last season, Barger led Illinois State with a scoring average of 72.8 strokes per round over 38 rounds. He recorded 15 rounds at or under par and set a school record with a score of 62 at the Kishawukee Intercollegiate. Barger finished third overall at the 2025 MVC Championship with a low-round total of 209.
Pontiggia averaged 74.6 strokes across all 38 rounds during the season. He had seven rounds at or under par and posted his lowest round—a 68—at the Hawkeye Invite. His best tournament performance was a score of 212 at the Dorado Beach Collegiate held from February 23 to February 25.
Troy concluded his career with Illinois State by averaging 74.0 strokes over his final season’s 38 rounds. He registered 14 rounds at or under par and achieved a season-low round of 67 at the Hawkeye Invite on April 13. Troy earned four top-10 finishes this season and posted a tournament score of 209 at the Dorado Beach College event on February 23-25.
The Redbirds ended their regular season with top-two finishes in each of their last three tournaments, including securing first place with a come-from-behind victory at the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) Championship in 2025. Their postseason run concluded at the NCAA Urbana Regional where they remained contenders for advancement to the National Championship into the latter stages of competition.
“TJ Barger, Pietro Pontiggia, and Will Troy; have been named 2024-25 NCAA Division I Cobalt Golf All-America Scholars.”
