CofC Athletics Hall of Fame: Bruce McDonald
2019
Bruce McDonald (Class of '03)
One of the top College of Charleston men's golfers from 2000 to 2003 and the first player to be named an All-American in program history, Bruce McDonald played in 47 career tournaments winning three including medalist honors at the Southern Conference Championship in 2003. His senior year was highlighted by being named Southern Conference Player of the Year and to the All-SoCon First Team and Division I PING All-America Second Team in 2003. During the fall 2003 semester, he led CofC to a No. 2 national ranking behind top-ranked Clemson. McDonald competed in 12 tournaments that season with two tournament wins and seven Top-3 finishes. In his time at The College, he was a member of three-consecutive SoCon Championship and NCAA Regionals squads in 2001, 2002 and 2003. The Cougars finished fourth at NCAA Regionals in 2001 and earned a spot at nationals where they placed 16th. In addition, McDonald qualified for NCAA Regionals as an individual in 2003. He carded 24 par-or-better rounds and 18 eagles during his senior campaign – still the most in a single season in program history. McDonald holds the school-record for single-season scoring average (70.97 in 2002-03), single-season finish percentage (88.7% in 2002-03) and is tied for most wins in a single season (2) and career wins (3). He also ranks second in single-season eagles made (7) and second in career birdies made (389). In 2002-03, McDonald finished seventh in the nation in Golfstat's scoring average rankings (70.97). The Cougars were ranked as high as No. 25 and No. 27 in the final team national rankings in 2001 and 2003 respectively. From Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, McDonald qualified for the U.S. Amateur twice in 2002 and 2003 qualifying for match play in both years and reaching the Round of 16 in 2002. He graduated from the College of Charleston in 2003 with a bachelor's degree in business administration. McDonald turned pro thereafter and won a tournament on the Hooters Tour and was tabbed Rookie of the Year in 2004. He made a PGA TOUR tournament appearance at the FedEx St. Jude Classic in 2006 and later played on the PGA TOUR Latinoamérica, Sunshine Tour and European Tour. He also won six tournaments on the GProTour in North Carolina. He represented Zimbabwe alongside Brendon de Jonge at the 2011 World Cup held in Haikou, China, where the pair finished 11th in a tournament field comprised of current PGA TOUR golfers in Ian Poulter, Justin Rose, Martin Kaymer, Rory McIllroy, Francesco Molinari, Charl Schwartzel and Matt Kuchar.
