Aggie Hall of Fame Spotlight: Paul Wilcox, Jr.
Berkely, California and Goodwell, Oklahoma did not have much in common until 1962 when a young golfer named Paul Wilcox, Jr. found himself on the campus of Panhandle Agricultural & Mechanical College (now Oklahoma Panhandle State University.)
The young Californian was uncertain of his new surroundings but, thanks to the encouragement of good friends, Wilcox decided to make the Panhandle his home for the next four years, not knowing the impact he would come to make on this small university.
With National Pro-Amateur experience under his belt Wilcox joined the Aggie Golf team in 1962 and won the Oklahoma Collegiate Conference his first year on the team. Paul went on to win the OCC each of his three remaining years with Aggies and remains the only golfer ever to win the OCC Golf Championship title four straight years.
Paul earned All-Conference honors each of his four years of college. In addition, he was named Honorable Mention All-American in 1963, Second Team All-American in 1964 and received high honors from his peers his senior year when he was presented the Outstanding Senior Award, a title open to all sports on campus. He also recalled O’Club initiation and is proud of the fact that he was the first golfer to make it into the exclusive organization in 1963.
Wilcox remained deeply imbedded in the game of golf after leaving OPSU; he joined the professional circuit in 1968 and played the tour in 1971-1972. He’s been a member of the Professional Golf Association for 42 years and served as the President of the Northern California PGA from 1994-1997.
He currently lives in Danville, Calif. where he spent 18 years as the head golf pro at Diablo Country Club before retiring in 2000. Prior to that he served as head pro in Omaha, Neb., Sioux Falls, Iowa and Yorba Linda, Calif. Wilcox was named PGA Golf Professional of the Year in 1977 and has also held office on the National Board of District Directors for PGA America. He maintains an active presence in the Northern California PGA.
An admittedly “shy” person, Wilcox said that the people of Goodwell and OPSU helped “open him up” throughout his time here. He was not used to people saying “Hi” or “Howdy” as he walked by and was taken aback by the genuine friendliness of the people. He is proud to have been a part of this university and feels truly honored to be joining the Aggie Hall of Fame.
The story of what brought him to OPSU is best left to be told by Wilcox himself, and he fully intends to regale his audience with that tale upon his induction at the banquet in January. Wilcox will be accompanied by his wife Janice and is very excited to come back for the event.
The 2014 Aggie Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Banquet is set for Friday, January 16 with the banquet beginning at 7 p.m.
