California Irvine Athletics

IRVINE, Calif. – The UC Irvine men's golf team kicks off the 2025-26 season in two weeks at the Mark Simpson Colorado Invitational (Sept. 29-30). The Anteaters have a strong core group of returners ready to take on a well-balanced schedule that will prepare them to make a run at the Big West Championships in May.
 
 
1. BUILDING BLOCKS
Last year, the Anteaters tied for third at the Big West Championships, marking their best conference finish since 2019. They also earned their first stroke play tournament victory in seven years, taking home the team title at the 2024 Oregon State Invitational. UC Irvine returns six letterwinners from that squad, including its three All-Big West selections in Rei Harashima, Jack Yu, and Tommy Lin.
 
"We added a tournament in San Diego to our schedule that has a strong field and definitely strengthens our spring," head coach Paul Smolinski said. "Then we also have the tournaments we play in Arizona and at Pasatiempo, so I feel like the guys should be prepared and ready to compete by the time conference gets here."
 
2. SENIOR SPOTLIGHT
Rei Harashima, a three-time All-Big West honoree, returns for his senior season. In 2024-25, Harashima led the 'Eaters with a 72.13 stroke average and nine sub-70 rounds. He placed eighth at the Big West Championships, a year after taking third at the conference tournament. Harashima has played in every event for UCI over the last three years, compiling seven top-10 showings and a 72.52 career average.
 
"I'm definitely expecting Rei to continue to be one of the key guys for us this year," Smolinski said. "I think he's motivated to have a great senior season and do what he does. He is one of our leaders."
 
3. STRENGTH IN NUMBERS
UCI also welcomes back senior JJ Nakao, junior Jason Tang, and sophomores Tommy Lin, Jack Yu, and Owen Davis-Piger. Nakao, who has dealt with injuries throughout his career, played in eight tournaments last year, finishing with a 73.25 scoring average. Tang has played in every event since he arrived on campus, and has a 73.50 average through his first two seasons. Yu (72.48) and Lin (73.38) had standout campaigns as freshmen in 2024-25 with both receiving All-Big West honorable mention recognition.
 
"Tommy and Jack are two key guys moving forward and they both were in China playing a bunch of golf this summer," Smolinski said. "I expect them to be key contributors throughout the season. Jason is definitely a consistent guy in the lineup. He also had a good summer playing over in China, so I think he'll be ready to go. JJ might miss the fall, but I expect by the spring he should be healthy and able to really contribute."
 
4. NEW ADDITION
UC Irvine adds one newcomer with incoming freshman Kody Li, who hails from Dongguan, China. Li saw recent success with two FCG victories and three CLPGAQ top-10 finishes. Li, who attended Trinity International High School in Las Vegas, also had an individual win and a pair of runner-up performances in tournaments hosted by the Southern Nevada Junior Golf Association (SNJGA).
 
"I feel like Kody has the ability to step in and contribute right away," Smolinski said. "He knows some of the guys on the team and I think he'll be in a comfortable environment coming in."
 
5. LOOKING AHEAD
UCI's spring slate features some tough tournament fields, including at the Lamkin Invitational (March 9-10), which is co-hosted by San Diego State/University of San Diego, and at the Wyoming Cowboy Classic at Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club in Maricopa, Arizona, March 31-April 1. The Anteaters also return to Pasatiempo Golf Club for their 15th-straight appearance in the prestigious Western Intercollegiate, April 13-15. That will be their final tune-up before traveling to La Quinta for the Big West Championships (May 3-5).
 
"This schedule will challenge our team with a balance of several good courses that are different from last season along with some great venues we have played in past years," Smolinski said. "There are tournaments that we should have a chance to win if we play well and others where we will have an opportunity to compete against some of the best teams in the country. When we get to May, our players will be well prepared for the Big West Championship and NCAA postseason play."