Monday, September 27
San Joaquin Country Club - Fresno, Calif.
8:30 AM
UC Irvine
at
Nick Watney Invitational
UCI Set to Open Season at Nick Watney Invitational
September 25, 2021 | Men's Golf
Nick Watney Invitational
Dates: Sept. 27-28 (Monday-Tuesday)
Location: San Joaquin Country Club - Fresno, Calif.
Par/Yardage: Par 71 - 7,001 yards
Live Scoring: Golfstat.com
Notes (PDF)
IRVINE, Calif. - UC Irvine men's golf is back in action next week, kicking off the 2021-22 season at the Nick Watney Invitational in Fresno, Sept. 27-28.
"We're excited that we have a full schedule to play this season," said 24th-year head coach Paul Smolinski. "Our guys are definitely fired up about playing this fall and getting some tournaments in before the meat of the season in the spring."
The 'Eaters, who played only the spring portion of their schedule last year, have three tournaments this fall as they follow the season-opening Nick Watney Invitational with the Bill Cullum Invitational (Oct. 11-12) and the Visit Stockton Pacific Invitational (Oct. 21-23). UCI then has about a three-month layoff before starting the spring by co-hosting the third annual Orange County Collegiate Classic at Coto de Caza South Course, Feb. 7-8.
Despite losing All-Big West performer Jonathan Kang to graduation, UC Irvine welcomes back the core of its 2020-21 squad with seven returning letterwinners. Senior Nathan Irwin is coming off a breakout year in which he played in all seven tournaments. He had his first career top-10 finish at the UC San Diego Invitational, while also placing among the top-20 at the Sacramento State Invitational where he carded an even-par 216. Irwin closed out the season with a 75.19 scoring average.
Sophomore Darien Zhao was the Anteaters' top performer at the 2021 Big West Championships, tying for 11th as a true freshman. Zhao added a ninth-place showing at the UC San Diego Invitational and ranked third on the team with a 75.28 scoring average.
Also back for the 'Eaters are seniors Matt Gunson, Ethan Han and Trueman Park, along with sophomores Henry Fitzhugh and Kolbe Irei.
Entering the mix in 2021-22 are newcomers Johnny Bai and Jin Nakao. Bai, a redshirt freshman, graduated from Lake Mary Preparatory School in Florida. He won the HJGT Orange County National Open and the Premier Tour Championship at Orange County National. Nakao is a true freshman out of Burbank, California. He claimed the Pacific League individual title with a 7-under 65 as a sophomore at Burbank High School. Nakao was also a two-time all-area selection.
"I expect that both Johnny and JJ can contribute right away," Smolinski said. "I think they have a chance to be consistent travelers this year."
TOURNAMENT INFO
The Nick Watney Invitational will be played at the par-71, 7,001-yard San Joaquin Country Club in Fresno. Thirty-six holes will be contested on Monday, while the final round is set for Tuesday. Both days will have an 8:30 a.m. shotgun start. The 'Eaters are part of a 14-team field that also features California Baptist, Cal State Fullerton, CSUN, Gonzaga, Hawai'i, Idaho, Pacific, Sacramento State, Seattle U, UC Riverside, UC San Diego, UC Santa Barbara and host Fresno State.
UCI's 5-count-4 lineup includes Darien Zhao, Kolbe Irei, Henry Fitzhugh, Jin Nakao and Nathan Irwin. Johnny Bai will also be competing as an individual.
This is the sixth time in the last eight years UC Irvine will compete in the Nick Watney Invitational. During that stretch, the Anteaters had a high finish of third in 2014.
UP NEXT
UC Irvine will head to the Santa Clarita Valley for the Bill Cullum Invitational at The Oaks Club at Valencia, Oct. 11-12.
Dates: Sept. 27-28 (Monday-Tuesday)
Location: San Joaquin Country Club - Fresno, Calif.
Par/Yardage: Par 71 - 7,001 yards
Live Scoring: Golfstat.com
Notes (PDF)
IRVINE, Calif. - UC Irvine men's golf is back in action next week, kicking off the 2021-22 season at the Nick Watney Invitational in Fresno, Sept. 27-28.
"We're excited that we have a full schedule to play this season," said 24th-year head coach Paul Smolinski. "Our guys are definitely fired up about playing this fall and getting some tournaments in before the meat of the season in the spring."
The 'Eaters, who played only the spring portion of their schedule last year, have three tournaments this fall as they follow the season-opening Nick Watney Invitational with the Bill Cullum Invitational (Oct. 11-12) and the Visit Stockton Pacific Invitational (Oct. 21-23). UCI then has about a three-month layoff before starting the spring by co-hosting the third annual Orange County Collegiate Classic at Coto de Caza South Course, Feb. 7-8.
Despite losing All-Big West performer Jonathan Kang to graduation, UC Irvine welcomes back the core of its 2020-21 squad with seven returning letterwinners. Senior Nathan Irwin is coming off a breakout year in which he played in all seven tournaments. He had his first career top-10 finish at the UC San Diego Invitational, while also placing among the top-20 at the Sacramento State Invitational where he carded an even-par 216. Irwin closed out the season with a 75.19 scoring average.
Sophomore Darien Zhao was the Anteaters' top performer at the 2021 Big West Championships, tying for 11th as a true freshman. Zhao added a ninth-place showing at the UC San Diego Invitational and ranked third on the team with a 75.28 scoring average.
Also back for the 'Eaters are seniors Matt Gunson, Ethan Han and Trueman Park, along with sophomores Henry Fitzhugh and Kolbe Irei.
Entering the mix in 2021-22 are newcomers Johnny Bai and Jin Nakao. Bai, a redshirt freshman, graduated from Lake Mary Preparatory School in Florida. He won the HJGT Orange County National Open and the Premier Tour Championship at Orange County National. Nakao is a true freshman out of Burbank, California. He claimed the Pacific League individual title with a 7-under 65 as a sophomore at Burbank High School. Nakao was also a two-time all-area selection.
"I expect that both Johnny and JJ can contribute right away," Smolinski said. "I think they have a chance to be consistent travelers this year."
TOURNAMENT INFO
The Nick Watney Invitational will be played at the par-71, 7,001-yard San Joaquin Country Club in Fresno. Thirty-six holes will be contested on Monday, while the final round is set for Tuesday. Both days will have an 8:30 a.m. shotgun start. The 'Eaters are part of a 14-team field that also features California Baptist, Cal State Fullerton, CSUN, Gonzaga, Hawai'i, Idaho, Pacific, Sacramento State, Seattle U, UC Riverside, UC San Diego, UC Santa Barbara and host Fresno State.
UCI's 5-count-4 lineup includes Darien Zhao, Kolbe Irei, Henry Fitzhugh, Jin Nakao and Nathan Irwin. Johnny Bai will also be competing as an individual.
This is the sixth time in the last eight years UC Irvine will compete in the Nick Watney Invitational. During that stretch, the Anteaters had a high finish of third in 2014.
UP NEXT
UC Irvine will head to the Santa Clarita Valley for the Bill Cullum Invitational at The Oaks Club at Valencia, Oct. 11-12.
Players Mentioned
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