5 Things To Know: 2026-27 Men's Golf Preview
September 18, 2026 | Men's Golf
IRVINE, Calif. - UC Irvine men's golf is set to kick off the 2026-27 campaign in just a few days. The 'Eaters will look to carry momentum that has been building in the previous seasons.
Head coach Paul Smolinski enters his 29th season at the helm of the men's golf program, as he and the 'Eaters prepare for another exciting campaign. Here are five things to know heading into the 2026-27 season.
"We will play a competitive schedule of tournaments this season on some fantastic golf courses - including two courses that have hosted PGA Tour events for many years (Torrey Pines South and La Quinta Country Club)," Smolinski said. "This is a well-balanced team that includes players who have a significant amount of college golf experience as well as talented newcomers who will have an opportunity to make a substantial impact. I'm optimistic about this group's ability to compete right out of the gate and work hard to improve as the season progresses. We want to be playing our best team golf of the year in May, beginning with the Big West Championship."
UCI then travels to Corvallis, Ore., for the Oregon State Invitational at Trysting Tree Golf Club, Oct. 5-6. Hosted by Oregon State, the 12-team field features competitive programs including Oregon, Gonzaga, Utah State, Boise State, Idaho, Washington State and Eastern Washington. The Anteaters will also face familiar Big West opponents Sacramento State, Cal State Fullerton and CSUN.
The Anteaters then return to California for the Visit Stockton Invitational, Oct. 12-14, before closing out the fall slate at the Kaanapali Classic in Hawai'i, Oct. 26-28.
Senior Hogan Park joins the Anteaters as a transfer from Eastern Washington, where he earned Big Sky All-Conference Second Team honors and posted a 73.81 stroke average. Park also brings additional collegiate experience from LMU, where he competed during his sophomore season, and UNLV, where he spent his freshman campaign. With experience competing at multiple collegiate programs, Park adds valuable depth and experience to the UCI lineup as he begins his senior season with the Anteaters.
Freshman Steven Yang joins UCI from Newport Beach, Calif., after a standout prep career. Yang captured the 2026 Malbon Buckets Cup at Torrey Pines and the 2025 SCGA Mixed Championship, while also placing third at the SCPGA Toyota Tour Cup at Temecula Creek. At Corona del Mar High School, Yang earned First Team All-Sunset League honors and served as team captain. His competitive experience and leadership will add another promising piece to the Anteaters' incoming class.
Freshman Rayan Ahmed joins the Anteaters from Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Ahmed attended Raffles World Academy, where he earned the Sports Excellence Award in 2025. He brings an impressive competitive background to the program as he begins his collegiate career at UCI. Currently ranked No. 1 among male amateurs in the United Arab Emirates, Ahmed has already established himself as one of the country's top young golfers. In February, he earned a nine-shot victory in the Men's Division of the Ras Al Khaimah Mixed Open. He also captured individual medalist honors at the GJG UAE U23 Championship and finished runner-up at the Montgomerie Men's Open in 2026.
Freshman Anderson Lee also joins the squad but will not compete this season.
Senior Jason Tang returns for his final season with the 'Eaters after three strong years in Irvine. Last season, he ranked third on the team with a 75.36 scoring average and tied for 23rd at the Big West Championship. As a sophomore, Tang recorded two top-20 finishes, including a ninth-place showing at the Orange County Collegiate Classic at 2-over 218. He also enjoyed a strong freshman campaign, ranking second on the team with a 72.97 scoring average while recording five sub-70 rounds.
Junior Tommy Lin returns for his third season after earning All-Big West honorable mention honors as a freshman. Lin recorded two top-20 finishes that season, including a fourth-place finish at the Orange County Collegiate Classic, and tied for 11th at the Big West Championship. Last season, he posted a season-low 69 at the Western Intercollegiate and tied for 29th at the Big West Championship.
Junior Owen Davis-Piger returns for his third season with the Anteaters and looks to build on a promising sophomore campaign. Davis-Piger showed continued progress throughout the 2025-26 season, highlighted by a collegiate-best 68 in the second round of the Ka'anapali Classic. Entering his junior season, Davis-Piger will look to build on his progress from last year. The 'Eaters are excited to welcome him back to the program and continue his development.
Head coach Paul Smolinski enters his 29th season at the helm of the men's golf program, as he and the 'Eaters prepare for another exciting campaign. Here are five things to know heading into the 2026-27 season.
"We will play a competitive schedule of tournaments this season on some fantastic golf courses - including two courses that have hosted PGA Tour events for many years (Torrey Pines South and La Quinta Country Club)," Smolinski said. "This is a well-balanced team that includes players who have a significant amount of college golf experience as well as talented newcomers who will have an opportunity to make a substantial impact. I'm optimistic about this group's ability to compete right out of the gate and work hard to improve as the season progresses. We want to be playing our best team golf of the year in May, beginning with the Big West Championship."
- SEASON KICKOFF
UCI then travels to Corvallis, Ore., for the Oregon State Invitational at Trysting Tree Golf Club, Oct. 5-6. Hosted by Oregon State, the 12-team field features competitive programs including Oregon, Gonzaga, Utah State, Boise State, Idaho, Washington State and Eastern Washington. The Anteaters will also face familiar Big West opponents Sacramento State, Cal State Fullerton and CSUN.
The Anteaters then return to California for the Visit Stockton Invitational, Oct. 12-14, before closing out the fall slate at the Kaanapali Classic in Hawai'i, Oct. 26-28.
- NEW ADDITIONS
Senior Hogan Park joins the Anteaters as a transfer from Eastern Washington, where he earned Big Sky All-Conference Second Team honors and posted a 73.81 stroke average. Park also brings additional collegiate experience from LMU, where he competed during his sophomore season, and UNLV, where he spent his freshman campaign. With experience competing at multiple collegiate programs, Park adds valuable depth and experience to the UCI lineup as he begins his senior season with the Anteaters.
Freshman Steven Yang joins UCI from Newport Beach, Calif., after a standout prep career. Yang captured the 2026 Malbon Buckets Cup at Torrey Pines and the 2025 SCGA Mixed Championship, while also placing third at the SCPGA Toyota Tour Cup at Temecula Creek. At Corona del Mar High School, Yang earned First Team All-Sunset League honors and served as team captain. His competitive experience and leadership will add another promising piece to the Anteaters' incoming class.
Freshman Rayan Ahmed joins the Anteaters from Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Ahmed attended Raffles World Academy, where he earned the Sports Excellence Award in 2025. He brings an impressive competitive background to the program as he begins his collegiate career at UCI. Currently ranked No. 1 among male amateurs in the United Arab Emirates, Ahmed has already established himself as one of the country's top young golfers. In February, he earned a nine-shot victory in the Men's Division of the Ras Al Khaimah Mixed Open. He also captured individual medalist honors at the GJG UAE U23 Championship and finished runner-up at the Montgomerie Men's Open in 2026.
Freshman Anderson Lee also joins the squad but will not compete this season.
- BACK FOR MORE
Senior Jason Tang returns for his final season with the 'Eaters after three strong years in Irvine. Last season, he ranked third on the team with a 75.36 scoring average and tied for 23rd at the Big West Championship. As a sophomore, Tang recorded two top-20 finishes, including a ninth-place showing at the Orange County Collegiate Classic at 2-over 218. He also enjoyed a strong freshman campaign, ranking second on the team with a 72.97 scoring average while recording five sub-70 rounds.
Junior Tommy Lin returns for his third season after earning All-Big West honorable mention honors as a freshman. Lin recorded two top-20 finishes that season, including a fourth-place finish at the Orange County Collegiate Classic, and tied for 11th at the Big West Championship. Last season, he posted a season-low 69 at the Western Intercollegiate and tied for 29th at the Big West Championship.
Junior Owen Davis-Piger returns for his third season with the Anteaters and looks to build on a promising sophomore campaign. Davis-Piger showed continued progress throughout the 2025-26 season, highlighted by a collegiate-best 68 in the second round of the Ka'anapali Classic. Entering his junior season, Davis-Piger will look to build on his progress from last year. The 'Eaters are excited to welcome him back to the program and continue his development.
- BUILDING MOMENTUM
- SPRING ACTION
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