Mark Simpson Colorado Invitational
Dates: September 29-30 (Monday-Tuesday)
Location: Colorado National Golf Club - Erie, Colo.
Par/Yardage: Par 72, 7,787 yards

IRVINE, Calif. - UC Irvine men's golf is set to open their 2025-26 season at the Mark Simpson Colorado Invitational, Sept. 29-30. The two-day tournament will be contested at the par-72, 7,787-yard course at Colorado National Golf Club in Erie, which is located about 12 miles east of CU's Boulder campus. 

Thirty-six holes are scheduled for Monday starting at 7:15 a.m. PT/8:15 a.m. MT, while the final round is slated for Tuesday at 7:30 a.m. PT/8:30 a.m. MT. Both days will be a shotgun start. UCI's 5-count-4 lineup features Rei Harashima, Jack Yu, Jason Tang, Tommy Lin, and Owen Davis-Piger.

The Anteaters are part of a 19-team field that includes Arkansas State, Boise State, Creighton, Cal State Fullerton, Denver, Eastern Washington, Gonzaga, Long Beach State, LMU, Northern Colorado, Sacramento State, Southern Illinois, Tarleton State, UTEP, Texas State, Utah State, Wyoming, and tournament host Colorado.

SENIOR SPOTLIGHT
Rei Harashima, a three-time All-Big West honoree, returns for his senior season. In 2024-25, Harashima led the 'Eaters with nine sub-70 rounds and a 72.13 stroke average. 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. JJ Nakao, who has dealt with injuries throughout his career, is also back for his senior campaign. Nakao played in eight tournaments last year, finishing with a 73.25 average.

YEAR TWO
Sophomores Tommy Lin and Jack Yu will be looking to build off impressive freshmen campaigns in which they both earned All-Big West honorable mention recognition. Yu ranked second on the 2024-25 squad with a 72.48 scoring average, while Lin was fourth at 73.38. Lin (T11th) and Yu (T18th) also placed among the top-20 in their Big West Championship debuts. Sophomore Owen Davis-Piger played in five tournaments last year, finishing with a 74.87 average.

MR. CONSISTENCY
Junior Jason Tang has played in every tournament since he arrived on campus in 2023-24. Through 60 rounds, Tang owns a 73.50 career average. He has five top-20 showings with a career-best sixth-place finish coming in his collegiate debut where he carded a 10-under 203 at the Nick Watney Invitational in September 2023.

NEW ADDITION
UCI 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).

LOOKING BACK
Last year, UC Irvine tied for third at the Big West Championships, marking its best conference finish since 2019. The Anteaters also earned their first stroke play tournament victory in seven years, taking home the team title at the 2024 Oregon State Invitational. UCI returns six letterwinners from that squad, including its three All-Big West selections in Rei Harashima, Jack Yu, and Tommy Lin.

UP NEXT
UCI will head to the Central Valley for the Visit Stockton Pacific Invitational at The Reserve at Spanos Park, Oct. 9-11.