IRVINE, Calif. - The UC Irvine men's golf team is two weeks away from the start of the 2023-24 season. For the sixth time in the last seven years, UCI will make its way to Fresno to open the campaign at the Nick Watney Invitational, Sept. 25-26.
 
Similar to last year, the Anteaters have a young seven-man roster, but have the potential to contend for the program's ninth Big West championship. They currently lead all active Big West members with eight conference titles (2001-03, 2007-08, 2010, 2015, 2018). The 'Eaters return six letterwinners, including two All-Big West selections, while adding an incoming freshman who has seen success on the junior circuit.
 
"Our conference is getting better but I feel like if we're healthy, we can compete with the best teams in The Big West," said Paul Smolinski, who is in his 26th year as head coach at UC Irvine. "Certainly, the goal is to get us in a spot to where we can compete at conference and have a chance to win and I believe we are capable of that. We're small so we don't have a lot of wiggle room as far as the lineup goes, but if we're healthy, our top five are pretty solid."
 
Below are five things to know before the start of the 2023-24 season.
 
 
SENIOR LEADER
Darien Zhao is coming off his best season as an Anteater. Last year, the two-time All-Big West selection ranked first on the team with a 72.13 scoring average and three top-10 finishes. Zhao tied for first at the Bill Cullum Invitational, took sixth in an elite field at the Western Intercollegiate and tied for eighth at The Joust. He registered 19 rounds at or below par with seven sub-70 scores. In his final campaign, and as the lone senior on the squad, Zhao will be looking to lead the 'Eaters back to a Big West title.
 
"Obviously we are leaning on Darien to be a leader both on and off the course," Smolinski said. " He is the only senior; the rest of our key guys are sophomores. I think he is up to the challenge."
 
SECOND TIME AROUND
Behind Zhao are three sophomores who were part of UC Irvine's lineup in every tournament last year. Rei Harashima led the trio as he earned 2023 All-Big West honorable mention recognition. In his first collegiate season, Harashima ranked second on the squad with a 72.42 stroke average and had five top-20 finishes. Jin Nakao completed his first full season of competition after an injury in the fall of 2021 kept him off the course for a year. Nakao closed out the campaign with a 72.91 average and a high showing of eighth at the Visit Stockton Invitational. As a true freshman, Yaoting Zou posted a 73.56 average through 32 rounds.
 
"Rei was about all you could ask for of a freshman last year," Smolinski stated. "He had a really nice season and followed that up with a good summer, qualifying for the U.S. Amateur. I think he's motivated and excited to continue to get better. JJ has been hurt pretty much since he's been here so we're hoping he'll be healthy this season and I expect him to have a big impact. It took Yaoting a little time last year to get comfortable with college golf, but his upside is big."
 
BACK FOR MORE
Rounding out the returners are juniors Joshua Lane and Kevin McGough. Both transferred to UC Irvine last year and got a little taste of Division I golf. McGough played in four tournaments with his best outing in his Anteater debut at the Bill Cullum Invitational. He spent his freshman year at Skidmore College where he was a Division III Ping All-American and the 2022 Liberty League champion. Lane, who came to UCI from Orange Coast College, was a late add to the team in the spring and made his only appearance at the prestigious Western Intercollegiate.
 
"Both of those guys have a lot of potential," Smolinski said. "I hope they can find their way into the lineup and gain some experience this season."
 
ENTERING THE MIX
Freshman Jason Tang is the Anteaters' only newcomer this year. Tang has multiple top-20 showings in AJGA events and competed in the 2022 U.S. Junior Amateur Championship last summer after qualifying with a 3-under 69 at Fairbanks Ranch Country Club. Tang graduated from Santa Margarita Catholic High School where he was an All-Trinity League selection and CIF State Championship qualifier.
 
"Jason has a ton of junior tournament experience and had some good results this summer," Smolinski said. "I feel like he's in a spot where he can come in and contribute right away."
 
ON THE SCHEDULE
UC Irvine will kick off the 2023-24 season at Fresno State's Nick Watney Invitational, Sept. 25-26. The Anteaters will then make their way to The Saticoy Club in Somis, California, for their 11th consecutive appearance in the Bill Cullum Invitational (Oct. 9-10). They are right back in action the following week, traveling to the Visit Stockton Invitational, Oct. 16-18, before closing out the fall season at the Kapolei Classic in Honolulu (Oct. 31-Nov. 2). The 'Eaters have seven tournaments on their 2024 spring slate, highlighted by their home event, the OC Collegiate Classic at Monarch Beach Golf Links (Feb. 12-13), the Wyoming Cowboy Classic (April 1-2), Western Intercollegiate (April 15-17) and the Big West Championships in La Quinta, April 28-30.
 
"We have put together a balanced schedule with some events that give our players a chance to win tournaments and to also compete against some of the best college teams in the country," Smolinski said. "We are excited to host an event at Monarch Beach Golf Links in Dana Point. We will again wrap up our regular season with the televised Western Intercollegiate at Pasatiempo Golf Club before heading to La Quinta Country Club for the Big West Championships."