Former PCC Men's Soccer/Football Player Angel Reyes Finds Niche In FootGolf

A member of the Pasadena City College men's soccer state semifinalist team in 2002 and then the Lancers football team placekicker in 2004-2005, Angel Reyes has become a national champion in the sport of footgolf.

Footgolf is basically the game of golf played with a soccer ball kicked by players with the same scoring rules applied in golf.  

Over the weekend, Reyes, a resident of Glendale, captured the championship at the American FootGolf League (AFGL) The Nationals 2023 event. Held at the Tahqhitz Creek Golf Resort in Palm Springs Aug. 24-27, Reyes shot a 22-under par to win the tournament title. 

This adds to a growing list of trophies for Reyes, who was the U.S. National champion and the country's #1-ranked player in both 2016 and 2019.

Video of Reyes winning 2016 U.S. title

"(Eight) years ago, a few soccer friends asked me to join them to try this new sport 'footgolf at a golf course," said Reyes on his online AFGL biography.

"I was hesitant because they said bring a size 5 soccer ball and turf shoes? I said to myself, how are we going to be allowed in a golf course with a soccer ball and no golf clubs? They had to beg me to come out because in their minds I was going to be good at this new sport; little did we know, it turned out I was great. They never invited me again!"

Reyes continued, "Not in my wildest dreams did I think I would find out about footgolf. The greatest game ever invented. I am an ambassador of the game and any chance I get I introduce and talk about footgolf to new players in my community."

Reyes and his brother Marco founded the Canyon City Footgolf Club (in Azusa) in 2015 and has participated in many team events, not just individual.

Last year, Reyes helped Team USA defeat Team United Kingdom in the footgolf version of the Ryder Cup called the Jansen Cup. Video of Reyes sinking long putt

He played on the most successful Lancers men's soccer team in PCC history in 2002 when the team reached the state tournament, placed third and tied the program record for victories with 17 under head coach Cherif Zein. 

In football, Reyes kicked for head coach Tom Maher in 2004 and Hall of Fame coach Dennis Gossard in 2005.