Paul Smolinski is in his 28th year as head coach of the UC Irvine men's golf team as he took over the Anteater program in July 1998.
Smolinski has led the 'Eaters to eight Big West titles, winning the conference championship in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2015 and 2018. His UCI teams have also advanced to NCAA regional play 11 times, while making two NCAA Division I Championship appearances (2001, 2008).
Smolinski is a league-record nine-time Big West Coach of the Year (2001-03, 2006-08, 2010, 2015, 2018). He has guided his student-athletes to 63 all-conference honors, while they have claimed six Big West Player of the Year and three Big West Freshman of the Year awards. Under his tutelage, UC Irvine has also produced four PING All-Region selections and four Big West individual champions.
Last year, UCI tied for third at the Big West Championships, marking its best conference finish in six years. Rei Harashima, who earned second-team All-Big West honors, led the way with his fourth top-10 individual showing of the season. Freshmen Tommy Lin and Jack Yu also placed among the top-20 and garnered All-Big West honorable mention recognition. In the fall, the Anteaters opened the campaign with their first stroke play tournament victory since 2018 as they took home the team title at the Oregon State Invitational. The 'Eaters also excelled academically with Harashima, Jin Nakao, and Jason Tang receiving Cobalt Golf All-America Scholar honors.
In 2023-24, UC Irvine took fourth at the Big West Championships with Rei Harashima coming in third on the individual leaderboard. The Anteaters combined for 14 sub-70 scores on the year including Darien Zhao's school-record 62 in the second round of a runner-up performance at the Nick Watney Invitational. As a team, UCI registered the program's second-best score to par through 54 holes at 38-under at the Kapolei Invitational. Harashima and Zhao earned All-Big West honors, while Harashima and Jin Nakao were named Cobalt Golf All-America Scholars.
In 2022-23, UC Irvine closed out an 11-tournament campaign with a fifth-place finish at the Big West Championships. The 'Eaters had two runner-up showings during the regular season. In the fall, they came in below par in all four outings with a season-best 16-under at the Visit Stockton Invitational. Rei Harashima and Darien Zhao both received All-Big West nods. Zhao was also a first-team All-Big West selection in 2022 after placing third at the conference championships.
After the 2020 spring and fall seasons were canceled in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Smolinski led a young UC Irvine squad through a unique and challenging 2021 campaign. With health and safety protocols in place, the 'Eaters made their way back to competition by co-hosting the second annual Orange County Collegiate Classic, and went on to complete their seven-tournament spring slate. Jonathan Kang, who led the team with a 74.10 scoring average, received his second career All-Big West honor.
In 2019, Smolinski's fifth-seeded Anteaters secured runner-up honors at the Big West Championships. They had one team victory during the regular season, winning the Cal Poly Match Play tournament. Ramiz Jamal and Anthony Truong both garnered all-conference distinction.
In 2018, Smolinski led the seventh-seeded 'Eaters to their eighth Big West team title. UCI recorded its three lowest rounds of the season to finish first at 12-under 852, edging out No. 1 seed UC Davis by one stroke. David Kim earned his fourth career All-Big West award and second consecutive first-team nod, while Jonathan Kang received honorable mention recognition.
In 2017, Smolinski coached David Kim to Big West Player of the Year accolades and an individual NCAA Regional bid. Kim finished 20th out of 75 competitors at the Stanford Golf Course with a 54-hole total of 2-over 212.
Smolinski also mentored three-time Big West Player of the Year John Chin, who in 2009-10 became the Anteaters' first Division I All-American. Chin is one of the most decorated men's golfers in school history as he was also a two-time all-region selection, two-time Big West individual medalist, and 2007 Big West Freshman of the Year. In addition, he won the Golfstat Cup, was named to the All-Nicklaus Team and competed for the U.S. on the Palmer Cup team.
Smolinski guided UC Irvine to its first Big West title in 2001. That squad went on to finish third at the West Regional to advance to the NCAA Championships. UCI repeated as Big West champions in 2002 and 2003.
An Orange County native, Smolinski has been working in the golf business since 1989. He began his career at Mission Viejo Country Club, where he worked as an assistant professional for five years.
Smolinski then worked at the Coto de Caza Golf Club as an assistant professional for two years while completing his PGA apprenticeship. He became a class "A" member of the PGA of America in 1996 and soon after was promoted to head golf professional at Coto de Caza. Smolinski served in that capacity for two years before accepting the position of head golf coach at UC Irvine. He also served on the Metro Chapter Board of Directors of the Southern California Section from 1996-98.
In 1997, Smolinski qualified for the Western Regional PGA Club Professional Championship and represented Coto de Caza and the Southern California section at Painted Dunes Golf Club in El Paso, Texas. That same year he was runner-up in the Metro Chapter match play championship winning five matches against Orange County club professionals.
In addition to his coaching duties, Smolinski directs the UC Irvine Junior Golf Program in July and August. The program develops golfers from seven to 17 years old and has averaged more than 100 participants per year.
Smolinski is married with three children.
| Paul Smolinski's Head Coaching Ledger |
| Year |
School |
Big West Finish |
NCAA Regional |
NCAA Championships |
| 2024-25 |
UC Irvine |
T3rd (856) |
-- |
-- |
| 2023-24 |
UC Irvine |
4th (865) |
-- |
-- |
| 2022-23 |
UC Irvine |
5th (879) |
-- |
-- |
| 2021-22 |
UC Irvine |
5th (880) |
-- |
-- |
| 2020-21 |
UC Irvine |
7th (902) |
-- |
-- |
| 2019-20* |
UC Irvine |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
| 2018-19 |
UC Irvine |
2nd (884) |
--- |
--- |
| 2017-18 |
UC Irvine |
1st (852) |
11th (872) |
--- |
| 2016-17 |
UC Irvine |
6th (870) |
--- |
--- |
| 2015-16 |
UC Irvine |
8th (891) |
--- |
--- |
| 2014-15 |
UC Irvine |
1st (860) |
10th (865) |
--- |
| 2013-14 |
UC Irvine |
5th (568) |
--- |
--- |
| 2012-13 |
UC Irvine |
7th (908) |
--- |
--- |
| 2011-12 |
UC Irvine |
6th (868) |
--- |
--- |
| 2010-11 |
UC Irvine |
5th (902) |
--- |
--- |
| 2009-10 |
UC Irvine |
1st (873) |
T8th (899) |
--- |
| 2008-09 |
UC Irvine |
T2nd (868) |
11th (870) |
--- |
| 2007-08 |
UC Irvine |
1st (849) |
3rd (836) |
20th |
| 2006-07 |
UC Irvine |
1st (852) |
22nd (863) |
--- |
| 2005-06 |
UC Irvine |
2nd (868) |
16th (861) |
--- |
| 2004-05 |
UC Irvine |
T3rd (875) |
--- |
--- |
| 2003-04 |
UC Irvine |
8th (887) |
22nd (918) |
--- |
| 2002-03 |
UC Irvine |
1st (581) |
12th (889) |
--- |
| 2001-02 |
UC Irvine |
1st (853) |
22nd (903) |
--- |
| 2000-01 |
UC Irvine |
1st (859) |
3rd (871) |
29th |
| 1999-00 |
UC Irvine |
5th (890) |
--- |
--- |
| 1998-99 |
UC Irvine |
4th (908) |
--- |
--- |
* The 2019-20 season was canceled on March 12 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic
