Illescas Highlights Men’s Golf with All-GAC Second Team and Elite Scholar Athlete Honors
RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – The Great American Conference announced its annual men's golf awards and All-Conference teams on Sunday, with East Central University represented during its first season back following reinstatement.
2026 Men's Golf All-GAC
Junior
Pablo Illescas earned All-GAC Second Team honors while also being named an Elite Scholar Athlete, marking a standout year both on the course and in the classroom. Illescas' All-Conference selection is the first for the Tigers since the 2016 season, when ECU last competed at the GAC Championships.
The Elite Scholar Athlete distinction is awarded to student-athletes who hold the highest cumulative grade point averages among competitors at the GAC Championship tournament. Illescas was one of just three golfers across the conference to receive the honor this season, and it marks the first Elite Scholar Athlete recognition in program history for ECU men's golf.
A native of Madrid, Spain, Illescas has been a consistent presence for the Tigers throughout the 2025-26 campaign, competing in all eight events on the schedule. He turned in his top performance of the year at the Spring Bulldog Clash, hosted by Barton College, where he posted a three-round total of 212 (+2) to finish tied for third overall.
Illescas and the Tigers have already begun competition at the GAC Championships in Broken Arrow, with play continuing over the next two days as ECU looks to close out its return season on a strong note.
