Henry Phavorachit is more than just a student athlete. On top of helping lead Men’s Golf to their first-ever SCAC Championship, he is a first-generation college student in the University of St. Thomas-Houston Rising Stars Program.

On and Off the Links, He Shines

When he picked up a club on day one, Henry knew he wanted to play college golf. At an early age, his passion gave him dreams of becoming a professional. He believes St. Thomas gives him the best opportunity to do that through Head Coach Billy Tuten.

“Coach’s ability and knowledge of the game gave me the platform I needed to grow as a golfer the second I stepped on campus,” Phavorachit said.

In the last five years, Phavorachit and his Celt teammates have taken the program to new heights each season, including the transition to NCAA Division III and this SCAC Championship. The Celts won their first-ever conference title by seven strokes, the largest margin of victory in the last six seasons. Phavorachit helped secure the victory with six birdies in three rounds of action. With this victory, St. Thomas secured the automatic bid to the NCAA National Championship to take place in May.

Even away from St. Thomas, Phavorachit’s passion for golf brought him to First Tee Houston. There, he and his teammates volunteer to teach youth golfers how to grow their skills on the golf course and in life. He loves participating in this because he was a First Tee youth golfer as well, which helped propel him into the student athlete he is today.

Henry Phavorachit: A Rising Star

Since Phavorachit is a first-generation college student, he was able to be part of UST’s Rising Stars program. He is also a member of the first-ever Rising Stars graduating class. Through the program, Phavorachit was taught skills to succeed professionally. Pursuing a Master's in Business Administration, Phavorachit was paired by Rising Stars with various companies throughout his college career to gain the knowledge and experience to succeed in the workforce today. With this skill set, he was able to network and grow professionally, even sharing his passion for golf through corporate outings and events.

“Without Rising Stars, I don't know where I would be in the professional landscape,” Phavorachit said. “The program has provided me with a large network, community, and resources I need to succeed after I leave St. Thomas.”

Catch Phavorachit and his Celt teammates at the NCAA Men’s Golf Championship from May 16-19 in Nicholasville, Kentucky. For more information and updates, follow ustcelts.com!