Oregon golf is in its golden days. In the spring of 2016 the Oregon Ducks men’s team took home its first National Championship. This season the men marched back to the National Championship match, ultimately falling 3.5-1.5 to the Oklahoma Sooners. This summer, the star of their historic 2016 NCAA Championship team continues his tear through the golf world at the WinCo Foods Portland Open presented by Kraft Heinz in August.

Aaron Wise built quite a reputation for himself throughout his junior golf days, regularly contending in some of the biggest events in junior golf. Drawing attention from top schools around the country, Wise ultimately decided to make his home in Eugene where he quickly established himself as the premier player in the Ducks lineup. After leading the team in scoring his freshman season, Wise posted a 69.80 scoring average during his sophomore season breaking the school record. However, it was the final four rounds of his sophomore campaign where Wise would etch his name into Oregon golf history.

Playing on his home course of Eugene Country Club during the 2016 NCAA Championships Wise was firmly in the limelight all week. He responded with rounds of 70-70-64-71 to become the first golfer in Oregon history to win the Individual NCAA title. Following his historic win, Wise elected to forego his final two years of eligibility to turn professional. The decision has proved to be a positive one, Wise quickly earned full status on the Web.com Tour where he broke through in June at the Air Capital Classic for his first victory of the season. With the victory, Wise secured his PGA TOUR status for the 2017-18 season and will join the likes of Jordan Spieth and Jon Rahm who quickly rose from college standouts to TOUR superstars. “Talents like Aaron only come around so often” said Jeff Sanders, former PGA TOUR player and Oregon Duck golfer. “The buzz around him is warranted and it appears he’ll be a force on the TOUR for years to come.”

Wise looks to join an elite list of young superstars who got their PGA TOUR careers started here in Portland. Some of these names include 4-time PGA TOUR winner Justin Thomas, 2015 PGA TOUR Rookie of the Year Daniel Berger and Si Woo Kim who surpassed Adam Scott as the youngest winner of THE PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP this past May. All told, Portland Open alums have won 21 times on TOUR in just three years and Wise appears poised to add to that number.

100% of all tickets purchased to the WinCo Foods Portland Open go to the charity or foundation of the buyer’s choice. Much to Duck fans delight, the University of Oregon - Duck Athletic Fund and Oregon Men’s Golf Program are among the groups eligible to receive funds. To buy tickets visit WinCoGolf.com and watch as Oregon’s Champion golfer takes his turn in the spotlight.