Suarez Named 2026 NAIA Phil Mickelson Outstanding Freshman Award presented by StrackaLine Recipient
SILVIS, Ill. -- Felipe Suarez of Missouri Valley has been named the recipient of the 2026 NAIA Phil Mickelson Outstanding Freshman Award presented by StrackaLine.
The Heart of America Conference Player and Freshman of the Year, Suarez carded eight top-two finishes in 11 tournaments with six victories this season for the Vikings. Ranked fourth via Scoreboard Powered by Clippd, the Córdoba, Argentina, native won the Heart of America Conference Championship by four strokes on April 28, had a four-tournament, 23-stroke winning streak from October 14 to March 17, and won the MVC Fall Invitational by three strokes on September 9. Suarez finished 14th at the 2026 NAIA Men’s Golf Championship en route to being named a PING First Team All-American.
Matus Cedzo of Keiser, Scott Frisby of Dalton State, Philip Kitoff Jr. of Lindsey Wilson, and Griffin Latimer of Reinhardt joined Suarez on the GCAA All-Freshman Team.
Previous Recipients
2025 - Adam Buchanan, Keiser
2024 - Jack Whaley, Dalton State
2023 - Easton Johnson, The Master’s
2022 - Jakob Stavang Stubhaug, Keiser
2021 - Javier Neira Garcia, Keiser
2020 - Wilhelm Ahlgren, Keiser
2019 - Carl Didrik Meen Fosaas, Keiser
2018 - Gaston Romero, Oklahoma City
2017 - S.M. Lee, Dalton State
2016 - David Ravetto, Texas Wesleyan
2015 - Jake Bauer, Johnson & Wales
2014 - Billy McKenzie, William Woods
2013 - Anthony Marchesani, Oklahoma City
2012 - Julian Taylor, William Woods
2011 - James Marchesani, Oklahoma City
2010 - Michael Palmer, Oklahoma City
2009 - Tor-Erik Knudsen, Oklahoma Christian
2008 - Michael Loppnow, Wayland Baptist
2007 - Jacques Blaauw, Oklahoma City
About StrackaLine
Since 2007, StrackaLine has been the trusted Greens Guides and Yardage Book supplier to the touring professionals, collegiate teams, and all levels of amateur golf. StrackaLine’s USGA compliant greens guides offer a level of detail and accuracy not available anywhere else for the most precise green reading. The yardage books include complete tee-to-green measurements for every hole. StrackaLine is committed to elevating the overall level of play and lowering scores for golfers all around the world.