Since posting his first victory at the 1987 Southwest Classic, Pate has been a consistent performer. The stretch from 1992 to his 1998 CVS Charity Classic title was his longest without a win since first breaking into the winner's circle. Pate was an All-American in 1983 for UCLA where he counted Corey Pavin, Duffy Waldorf and Jay Delsing among his teammates. Pate's temper has brought him the nickname "Volcano".