Boise State’s Cole Rueck Earns Second Mountain West Golfer of the Week Honor of 2026 Spring Season
Boise State University senior golfer Cole Rueck has been named Mountain West Golfer of the Week for the second time this spring, the conference announced on Thursday, April 9. The Idaho Broncos standout earned the honor following a standout individual performance at the UC Santa Barbara Intercollegiate, where he helped lead Boise State to a third-place team finish at Sandpiper Golf Club.
A Historic Distinction for Boise State Men’s Golf
Rueck’s second weekly honor of the spring makes him only the second Boise State golfer to earn multiple Mountain West Golfer of the Week awards in the same season. The first was Brian Humphreys, who received the recognition twice during the 2017 season — on February 7 and March 21 of that year. Rueck’s two honors came on February 26, 2026, and again this week on April 9, 2026.
The achievement is a notable milestone for the Boise State men’s golf program, underscoring Rueck’s consistency and performance throughout what has been a strong senior campaign for the golfer representing the Broncos on the Mountain West Conference stage.
Rueck’s Performance at the UC Santa Barbara Intercollegiate
At the UC Santa Barbara Intercollegiate — the final team tournament of the spring season — Rueck played 54 holes over two days, posting rounds of 71-69-71 for a three-round total of 211, which stands at five-under par. He finished in a two-way tie for second place in the individual standings.
The performance marked Rueck’s seventh top-10 finish of his senior season and the 17th top-10 finish of his collegiate career at Boise State. As a team, the Broncos shot an 869 (+5) for the tournament and placed three golfers inside the top 25.
The third-place team finish reflects a strong close to the team tournament portion of Boise State’s spring schedule, as the Broncos prepare to transition into postseason and rivalry competition.
Rueck’s PGA Tour Exemption Adds to Strong Senior Year
Rueck’s Golfer of the Week honor comes on the heels of another significant achievement: earlier this spring, Boise State Athletics announced that Rueck had earned a 2026 PGA Tour exemption — a rare distinction for a collegiate golfer. The combination of individual awards, career top-10 finishes, and professional recognition paints a picture of one of the most accomplished golfers in recent Boise State history.
His debut at the Scottish Open was also noted among the program’s highlights, marking a milestone for a player who has continued to represent Boise State and the state of Idaho on increasingly prominent stages.
What Comes Next: Battle of Idaho at Hillcrest Country Club in Boise
With the team tournament schedule wrapped up for the spring, Boise State golf turns its attention to the third-annual Battle of Idaho, scheduled for April 20-21 at Hillcrest Country Club in Boise. The Broncos will face in-state rival the University of Idaho in what has become a marquee matchup on the Idaho collegiate golf calendar.
Boise State won the first two editions of the Battle of Idaho — in 2024 and 2025 — and will look to complete a three-peat on home turf. For Rueck, it will likely be one of the final competitive rounds of his collegiate career before transitioning to the professional game.
Golf fans in the Boise area and across Ada County can follow the Battle of Idaho results through Boise State Athletics at broncosports.com. The matchup offers a rare opportunity to watch one of the Treasure Valley’s standout collegiate athletes compete locally before his expected move to professional golf.
Rueck’s recognition reflects well not only on the Boise State men’s golf program but on the broader tradition of athletic excellence the university has built in the Mountain West Conference. As the Broncos head into the final stretch of the 2026 spring season, Rueck’s career trajectory offers Idaho sports fans plenty to follow in the months ahead.