Palm Beach Atlantic University Athletics

Craig Watson was appointed to lead both the men’s and women’s golf programs at Palm Beach Atlantic University on January 15, 2013.

Watson was selected to lead the reinstatement of the men’s golf program and establish the first-ever women’s golf program at PBA in continuing his long career in the industry. A PGA Class A professional since 1978, Watson was charged with starting the Sailfish golf teams from scratch.

The Sailfish competed in 11 tournaments this season with Watson leading just the men's squad this season. PBA earned a victory at the Flagler Jay Jennison Cup, defeating 12 opponents as Trey Tesiero took the title home individually for the 'Fish. PBA finished sixth at the Sunshine State Conference Tournament. Justus Verge finished with the second-best season-scoring record with a 71.97 to qualify to the NCAA South Regional.

Riley took a big leap under Watson in 2022-23. As a sophomore, he came in first place at the NCAA South/Southeast Region Tournament. He became the first Sailfish to earn a trip to NCAA Nationals. He didn't stop there, winning the NCAA Individual National Champion, finishing at 12-under par. Riley was the first NCAA Champion in PBA athletics history.

The women's golf team had their best season yet in 2022-23. The squad posted the lowest single-season stroke average in program history.

Watson led the Sailfish men to one of their best seasons in school history in 2021-22. They finished sixth in the SSC Championship led by William Hartford who finished fourth. The Sailfish sent their first individual, Andrew Riley, to the NCAA South Region Tournament. 

During an unprecedented 2020-21 season, Watson's squads showed up when it mattered most with strong showings at the SSC Championships. The women's team had its highest finish of the year, tying for fifth with Poy Prasurtwong earning All-Tournament honors by finishing fifth individually. On the men's side, Grant Horvat's seventh-place finish, tied for the best finish at the SSC Championships in program history.

The 2019-20 season included several firsts for PBA men's and women's golf. The men's team earned its first team win since joining NCAA Division II when it finished first in the Griffin Invitational on Sept. 30. PBA's Martin Westerlund also earned the program's first individual trophy of the D-II era by finishing with an overall score of 203 (-13). The women's team also earned its first win at the Battle for Royalty on Sept. 24. Jewel Jorgensen led the way for the 'Fish, placing second on the individual leader board.

• 2 SSC All-Tournament Honorees
• 3 All-SSC Honorees
• 4 GCAA Scholar-Athletes
• 3 GCAA Scholar-Teams
• 4 All-SSC Weekly Awards
• 1 Men's PING FIrst Team All-American
• 1 Men's NCAA South / Southeast Region Individual Champion (2023)
• 1 Men's NCAA Nationals Individual Champion (2023)
• 1 CSC Academic All-District Honoree

In addition to his experience as the leader of the First Tee of the Palm Beaches, Watson also holds experience as a golf professional at two different courses in his native New York. He first served at The Greek Club in Locust Valley, N.Y. and followed by two years at the prestigious Westchester Country Club in Rye, N.Y. 

• Watson holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics from Rollins College in Winter Park where he was on the men’s golf and soccer teams. 
• A Tequesta resident, Watson and his wife, Wendy, have four grown children and one grandchild. He attends Christ Fellowship.