Wingate, N.C.----Wingate University sophomore men's golfer Brandon Skidmore (Gloucester, England) had a first year for the ages. A second team PING All-American in 2025, he was named the Phil Mickelson Outstanding Freshman of the Year for NCAA Division II. Skidmore tied for first place at the Southeast Regionals, propelling Wingate to its second consecutive trip to the national championship site.
 
Skidmore set a new Wingate NCAA-era standard with his 71.5 scoring average. The South Atlantic Conference Freshman of the Year was runner-up at the '25 NCAA Championships, guiding the Bulldogs to the Medal Match Play round. Prior to his All-American nod, Skidmore was named to the PING All-Southeast Region team by the GCAA.
 
A sport management major, Skidmore made the Dean's List last semester. The Wingate University athletic communications office caught up with the second-year Bulldog to get his first-person thoughts on academics and athletics during his first three-plus WU semesters (an edited transcript follows).
 
"Professors genuinely care…"
 
"Academically, Wingate University has met and exceeded my expectations. The learning environment is supportive, challenging and personal. Professors genuinely care about student success…and this has made a significant difference in my academic growth. They are also very understanding of sporting commitments and willing to accommodate them."
 
"One Wingate employee who has been especially good to me is my academic advisor. Their understanding of my schedule needs so that I get out early enough to play golf and at the same time giving me enough credits and classes to graduate comfortably."
 
"What stands out most about Wingate's academic culture is how invested the faculty and staff are in student-athletes. I've never felt like just another number. The balance between accountability and support has allowed me to grow academically, while still pursuing excellence in athletics. Wingate has created an environment where it's possible to succeed in the classroom without sacrificing commitment to your sport."
 
Wingate Athletics "emphasizes discipline"

"Athletically, Wingate University has also met my expectations in every way. The program emphasizes discipline, preparation and continuous improvement. Training sessions are demanding, but purposeful. Every practice pushes me to get one percent better."
 
"Coach JD Lamm has played a major role in shaping my athletic experience at Wingate. His belief in me, attention to detail and commitment to player development have been impactful. Coach JD holds high standards and expects accountability, but he also genuinely cares about his athletes as individuals. His leadership has helped me mature mentally and approach competition with confidence and composure. Knowing that he is invested in both my athletic and personal growth motivates me to give my best effort every day."
 
"Overall, my experiences and growth both academically and athletically at Wingate have shaped me into a more focused, confident and driven individual. Wingate University has become a place where I feel supported, challenged and inspired. I'm grateful for the opportunities, relationships and growth I've experienced so far."
 
Next on the horizon for Skidmore and No. 6 Wingate men's golf
 
The Bulldogs return to the links Monday and Tuesday, when they travel to South Carolina for the Oldfield Classic. The University of South Carolina Beaufort hosts this event at the Oldfield Club in Okatie, South Carolina. Wingate women's golf alumna Sam Fritzinger ('21) is the USCB assistant golf coach.
 
Wingate University
 
Wingate University is a lab of difference-making that serves more than 3,400 students in North Carolina and offers 60 degree pathways, including 37 undergraduate majors, 10 pre-professional tracks and five dual-degree programs. Graduate students choose from seven master's and five doctoral programs. The University is home to the Cannon College of Arts and Sciences, the Levine College of Health Sciences, the Byrum School of Business, the Thayer School of Education and the School of Sport Sciences.
 
Founded in 1896, Wingate University is a leader in healthcare education where nearly one in five undergraduate students is preparing to be a pharmacist, physician assistant, physical therapist, occupational therapist or nurse. Student-athletes on Wingate's 30 teams compete in NCAA Division II and have brought home the SAC Echols Athletic Excellence Award the past 17 times it has been awarded. The University's motto is "Faith, Knowledge, Service." View current news and videos at www.wingate.edu.
 
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