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As part of the 100th anniversary of our motto, "Bear Down," the University of Arizona is looking back at several of the most remarkable moments and accomplishments in the university’s illustrious history, with an eye toward the "Bear Down" moments of the future.

When Vanderbilt's Wells Williams holed out from 140 yards for eagle on the 17th hole of the NCAA Men's Golf Championship quarterfinals, a raucous celebration erupted around him.

Vanderbilt's players and coaches surged toward the green. Fans reacted in disbelief. One of the most remarkable shots of the tournament had just turned a tied match into a one-hole lead.

For Arizona, a trip to the NCAA Final Four suddenly seemed to be slipping away.

For Zach Pollo, there was a simpler reality.

"There was one more hole," he said.

One hundred years after John "Button" Salmon's final message gave the University of Arizona its enduring rallying cry, Pollo delivered a modern example of what it means to Bear Down.

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The Wildcats arrived in Carlsbad, California, with confidence coming off a record-setting performance at the Marana Regional, hosted by The Gallery Golf Club, just north of Tucson. The momentum continued as Arizona weathered four intense days of competition to advance to NCAA match play for the first time in school history. The quarterfinal matchup against Vanderbilt would determine whether the Wildcats' historic season would continue or come to an abrupt end.

By the time the morning came down to Pollo and Williams, the team score was tied 2-2.

Everything rested on the final match still on the course, and Pollo knew it.

"I think it was around the 15th hole when Tianyi (Xiong) closed out his match," Pollo recalled. "I saw everyone sort of come over. All the Vanderbilt guys and all the Arizona guys started watching our group, so I knew it was just this one left."

For Pollo, it was another chapter in one of the most accomplished careers in recent Arizona golf history. He became the first Wildcat in the Jim Anderson era to qualify for the U.S. Open, advanced at the U.S. Amateur and helped lead Arizona to one of the finest seasons in program history.

Pollo's development was also a reflection of the program Anderson had spent more than a decade building.

Best season in program history

Since taking over in 2012, Anderson had steadily built the Wildcats into a national contender through a culture centered on preparation, process, composure and trust. The journey included conference championships, All-Americans, NCAA appearances and now, Arizona's deepest NCAA Championship run in program history.

Golf Channel analyst Steve Burkowski, who called the match nationally, said Arizona's response reflected the culture Anderson has built over more than a decade.

"You've got to give Jim credit for keeping everyone in the moment," Burkowski said. "When Wells makes that eagle, a lot of teams start thinking it's over. Arizona never did. The message was simple: We still have a chance."

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Williams seemed to have an answer for everything. He chipped in repeatedly. He made critical putts. Every time Arizona appeared poised to seize control, Vanderbilt responded.

Then came the 17th.

Williams birdied the 15th, birdied the 16th and then holed out for eagle on 17. In a span of three holes, he played his way to four under par and appeared to seize control of the match.

"The odds were against him," Burkowski said. " That's about as much pressure as you can put on someone in match play. The remarkable thing is that Zach withstood it."

Many players would have allowed the moment to overwhelm them. Pollo never did.

"It's something I've worked on a ton," he said. "There were moments in that match where it would've been easy to get rattled or get ahead of yourself."

At his side was Anderson. Watching through binoculars as Williams' approach disappeared into the cup, the coach had the same reaction as everyone surrounding the green. For a moment, it felt as though Arizona's season might be slipping away.

Even Burkowski, who has called some of college golf's biggest moments, thought the momentum had swung decisively.

"When Wells holed out on 17, honestly, I thought Vanderbilt was going to win," Burkowski said. "The momentum was completely on Vanderbilt's side. (Williams) was in the fast lane on the autobahn, until he wasn't." 
Anderson had spent years teaching his players how to Bear Down under pressure. Following Williams' eagle, he modeled it himself.

Rather than dwelling on the shot, Anderson turned his attention to the player standing beside him.

Trust the process

"We just needed to stay in our bubble," Anderson said. "Trust the process and let the results happen."

Pollo responded, winning the 18th hole to force a playoff.

The first playoff hole delivered yet another test. Both players hit outstanding approach shots and gave themselves birdie opportunities to win the match. Neither could.

At the par-4 15th, Pollo's drive finished on hardpan dirt left of the fairway. More than 100 yards from the pin, he and Anderson talked through the shot together, weighing a 54-degree wedge against a 58-degree wedge. After discussing the lie, the wind and the shot that gave Pollo the most confidence, they settled on the 58.

Pollo struck the shot exactly as envisioned.

The ball landed beyond the hole, caught the slope and spun back toward the cup, settling four feet away.

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When Williams' birdie attempt stayed out to the right, Arizona's season came down to one final putt. 
Pollo buried it.

Arizona was headed to the Final Four.

Asked what Bear Down means to him, Pollo's answer reflected the team-first mindset that Anderson instilled and carried Arizona through the moment.

"Don't do it for me," he said. "Do it for them."

He was talking about teammates. Coaches. Family. Friends. The Arizona supporters who traveled across the country and the countless others following from home.

In that moment, he carried all of them.

Years from now, Wildcats may not remember every shot from Arizona's run to the NCAA Final Four.

They will remember Vanderbilt's eagle on 17.

They will remember the pressure.

But, above all, they will remember what happened next.

One hundred years after Button Salmon's message became Arizona's rallying cry, Zach Pollo faced the moment that could have ended Arizona's season and his college career.

He didn't focus on the eagle. He didn't think about the Final Four.

He saw only what was directly in front of him.

One more hole.

Explore more Bear Down 100 moments at Arizona.edu/BearDown.