Men's Golf | 5/29/2026 10:56:00 AM
MIAMI SHORES, Fla.—Barry University men's golf coach Carlos Velez has stepped down to become the head pro at Miami Lakes Golf Club, Director of Athletics Dr. Scott Smith announced today.
Velez led the Buccaneers to the regional tournament four times in four years at the helm, with a trip to the national finals in 2023 when they finished tied for third. After winning the Sunshine State Conference title in 2022 under former coach Jimmy Stobs, the Bucs won back-to-back championships in 2023 and 2024. Barry became the first school to win three straight championships since Florida Southern won five straight from 1997-2001. He was named the SSC coach of the year in 2002-23.
The 2023 team set numerous other records at the conference championship. As a team, the Bucs shot a three-round score of 817 (-35), breaking their own championship record by 15 strokes, which was set in 2019 and tied in 2022. Their round of 267 (-17) was the second lowest score ever recorded by a team in a single round, right behind the 2022 Buccaneers, who shot -18 at Grasslands. Barry became the first school to have back-to-back individual champions since Nova Southeastern's back-to-back winners in 2012-13. Individually, AJ Ewart won the 14th tournament of his career, scoring 197 (-16). His score breaks the SSC championship record (-12), which was held by Barry's Kyle Brey (2017) and Florida Southern's Steve Paramore (2003), by four strokes. His third round 63 (-8) tied his own record for the best single round score of any golfer in SSC Championship history.
"This program, the players, and everyone involved have meant a great deal to me," Velez said, "and I am truly grateful for the opportunity to have been part of such a successful and respected tradition. I take great pride in everything we have accomplished together and in the continued growth and success of the program both on and off the course. The relationships, experiences, and memories built during my time here are something I will always value.
"I am not going to be a stranger. I will still be in Maimi and will be a supporter of the program like I've always been."
Velez mentored two All-American golfers: AJ Ewart (2023), and Felipe Alvarez (2023). Additionally, Alvarez (2023), Amani D'Ambrosio (2023, 2024), Mikka Makinen (2024), Giorgio Celani (2025. 2026), Ethan Gough (2025), Daniel Vanososte (2026) and Anthony Amoroso (2026) were named GCAA Scholar All-Americans.
As a player, Velez was a member of Barry's first men's golf championship team in 2007 as a freshman. He went on to earn GCAA All-America honors in 2009 and 2010, added Scholar All-America awards those seasons as well. A three-time All-SSC golfer, he won the individual medal at the 2010 SSC Tournament. A remarkably consistent player, he saw his score counted for the team score 118 times in 134 career rounds, which is still the second-most in program history.
In addition to his athletic and academic accomplishments at Barry, he was also one of the most courteous players in program history. He was the recipient of the team's sportsmanship award as a junior and senior, after which the award was renamed in his honor.
He has over 20 years experience as a golf professional in Miami at Miccosukee Golf & Country Club and International Links Miami. He played on the PGA Tour Latinoamerica and caddied on the PGA Tour for Erik Compton. He has been a certified coach with First Tee for over a decade, and has served on the board of the Dade Amateur Golf Association. He served as the tournament director for First Tee's Miami Doral Junior Golf Classic from 2015-22.
Barry will begin an immediate search for his replacement.
