at Bill Cullum Invitational
Dates: Oct. 10-11 (Monday-Tuesday)
Location: The Oaks Club at Valencia - Valencia, Calif.
Par/Yardage: Par 72 - 7,110 Yards
Live Scoring: Golfstat.com

IRVINE, Calif. - The UC Irvine men's golf team continues its fall slate with a trip to the Santa Clarita Valley for the Bill Cullum Invitational, Oct. 10-11.
 
This will mark the second year in a row the Bill Cullum Invitational will be contested at The Oaks Club at Valencia after 25 years at Wood Ranch Golf Club in Simi Valley. The par-72 course will be played at 7,110 yards. Thirty six holes are scheduled for Monday, while the final round is set for Tuesday. Both days will have an 8 a.m. shotgun start.
 
The Anteaters are part of a 10-team field that also features California Baptist, Hawai'i, Northern Colorado, Southern Utah, UC Riverside, UC San Diego,Utah State, Weber State and host CSUN. UCLA will field three individuals as well.
 
UCI's 5-count-4 lineup includes Kolbe Irei, Darien Zhao, Rei Harashima, Jin Nakao and Andy Zou. Johnny Bai and Kevin McGough will be making their season debuts as individuals.
 
LAST TIME OUT
UC Irvine finished sixth out of 16 teams at the season-opening Nick Watney Invitational, Sept. 26-27. The Anteaters combined for a 5-under 847 (286-282-279) at the par-71, 6,623-yard Kings River Golf & Country Club. Junior Kolbe Irei led the 'Eaters in a tie for 20th with a three-round total of 212 (73-69-70). Redshirt freshman Jin Nakao also tied for 30th at even-par 213 (67-72-74), while true freshman Andy Zou wasn't far behind in 34th with a 214 (72-72-70). Junior Darien Zhao had UCI's best score of the final day as he recovered from a tough first round to tie for 37th with a total of 215 (77-69-69). Freshman Rei Harashima tied for 44th at 216 (74-72-70).
 
NEWS & NOTES
• UC Irvine has competed in the Bill Cullum Invitational in each of the last nine years the tournament has been held.
• During that stretch, the Anteaters had a high finish of second in 2016.
• The last time UCI won the Bill Cullum Invitational team title was in 2001.
• Last year, UC Irvine placed seventh overall, while Kolbe Irei was the team's top individual performer, tying for 17th.
• All five 'Eaters who competed at the Nick Watney Invitational (Sept. 26-27) carded at least one round below par.
• Darien Zhao had back-to-back rounds of 69 to close out the tournament.
• Irei also fired a second-round 69 and a final-round 70 to come in at 1-under par.
• Jin Nakao had UC Irvine's best round of the tournament with a 4-under 67 through the first 18.
• True freshmen Rei Harashima and Andy Zou both registered a 1-under 70 in the final round.
• Zhao led the 'Eaters in 2021-22 with three top-five showings and a 73.13 scoring average .
• He earned first-team All-Big West honors after coming in third at the conference championships.
• Irei also ranked second on the squad last season with a 73.97 average.
• He had three top-20 outings, including an individual victory at the OC Collegiate Classic in Coto de Caza.
• Sophomore Johnny Bai made strides throughout his debut season that culminated with his best collegiate finish.
• Bai tied for 15th at the 2021 Big West Championships.
• Nakao utilized a redshirt season in 2021-22 after suffering an injury early last fall.
• UCI brings in three newcomers who are expected to contribute right away.
• In addition to Harashima and Zou, the Anteaters added sophomore transfer Kevin McGough.
• McGough was a 2022 Division III Ping All-American and Liberty League Rookie of the Year at Skidmore College.
• UC Irvine has a seven-member squad, marking the first time they have fewer than 9 on their roster since 2011-12.
 
UP NEXT
UC Irvine will be back in action, Oct. 20-22, at the Visit Stockton Invitational, hosted by the University of the Pacific.