MEEKER I Meeker High School graduate Trey Morris, a freshman enrolled at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs (UCCS), took and passed the Player’s Ability Test (PAT) last week in Pueblo.
Morris is majoring in business with emphasis in marketing and professional golf management (PGM). He needed to pass a PAT in order to graduate with the PGM emphasis.
“I had to take the PAT as many times before I passed it in order to graduate from my program,” Morris said. “Only 20 percent of those who attempt to pass the PAT actually pass, so in general, it’s pretty difficult.”
The PAT is a 36 hole test and Morris didn’t pass it when he took it at City Park Golf Course in Denver, before starting college but did when he took it at Elmwood Golf Course in Pueblo Oct. 2.
“I missed my target score by four the first time I took the PAT,” Morris said.
Morris said he beat the target score (151) by three strokes.
“I shot a one under 69 the first 18 and a nine over 79 the second 18,” Morris said. “I was eight over for a total of 148 and made the cut by three strokes.”
Morris said he is enjoying college and Colorado Springs but passing the PAT did not make him a golf pro, which is his goal.
“I am not a golf professional, I do not have professional status or anything that has to do with being a pro, I know a lot of people get that mixed up including myself. I won’t be a professional until I graduate and am elected into the PGA of America.”