IRVINE, Calif. --- UC Irvine's Paul Smolinski has been named 2015 Big West Conference Coach of the Year after leading the Anteaters to the league title.
This is the eighth time Smolinski has earned the award, the most by any Big West coach in men's golf. He also received the honor in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2010.
Smolinski, in his 17th season as UCI's head coach, guided the 'Eaters to the program's seventh conference title in the past 15 years. UCI won this year's Big West Tournament at the San Luis Obispo Country Club April 26-28.
Senior Pete Fernandez was named to the All-Big West First Team for the second straight year after earning second-team honors his first two collegiate seasons.
Fernandez, who leads UCI with a 71.50 average, has four top-10 finishes and a pair of top-20s this season. He shot a 63 in the first round and was medalist at the Del Walker Intercollegiate in March, leading to Big West Golfer of the Month honors.
Fernandez, who finished second at the 2015 Big West Championship, has recorded 18 top-10 finishes in his career.
Senior Pete Fernandez was named to the 2015 All-Big West First Team
Junior Jacob Schulze and freshman David Kim were named to the All-Big West Second Team.
Kim is second on the team with a 72.83 average and has two top-10 showings and another two top-20s. He was 15th at the Big West Championship and had finishes of fifth at the Jones Invitational and sixth at the Wyoming Cowboy Classic.
Schulze has a 72.90 average with a top finish of third at the Big West Championship, and he also has posted three top-20 showings this season.
Junior Jacob Schulze earned All-Big West Second Team honors
Freshman David Kim was named to the All-Big West Second Team
Forty-one of Smolinski's UCI players have earned All-Big West honors over the past 12 years.
UCI has won three tournaments this season and has registered seven top-four showings.
The 'Eaters will be competing in the NCAA Regionals for the 13th time in program history at The Rawls Course in Lubbock, Texas, May 14-16.
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