If the first week of college golf is any indication, we’re in for a doozy of a season.
Rose Zhang and Stanford dominated in the Carmel Cup at Pebble Beach. Teammates at Holy Cross recorded albatrosses on the same hole in the same group. In an inaugural event, the Frederica Cup, multiple team scoring records were set and even an NCAA record was broken.
Nevertheless, college teams are back in action across the country for the fall season with plenty of big tournaments slated for the remainder of the calendar year, as well.
Golfweek takes a loop around the country to update you on all the latest news in the college game.
Men
Haskins Award: Preseason watch list for 2022-23 season
Vanderbilt had a season-opening win to remember.
In the Frederica Cup at Frederica Golf Club in St. Simons Island in Georgia, which counted the five best scores from six golfers (as opposed to the normal four-count-five scoring format), top-ranked Vanderbilt blistered the field to the tune of 69 under to record a victory at the inaugural event, winning by three shots against No. 9 Oklahoma. William Moll won the individual title at 19 under, beating teammate Cole Sherwood by one stroke.
There was a weather delay with three holes to play, and the teams were tied at 67 under. Then Vanderbilt pulled away once play began again.
Texas Tech’s Ludvig Aberg, the 2022 Ben Hogan Award winner, finished in third at 17 under, and Oklahoma freshman Jase Summy shot 15 under, along with teammate Drew Goodman and Mississippi State’s Ford Clegg.
Meanwhile, Wright State picked up right back where it left off last season. The Raiders won the Earl Yestingsmeier Invitational, the second straight season Wright State has won the event. Mikkel Mathiesen won the individual title after a playoff.
At the Fighting Irish Classic, Florida came away with the victory but mid major Georgia Southern finished only a stroke behind the Gators. Ben Carr, who finished runner-up at the 2022 U.S. Amateur, finished in solo fourth at 8 under. Teammate Mason Williams was a shot better at 9 under in third.
Colorado’s Dylan McDermott captured the title in a playoff, finishing at 10 under and tied with North Carolina’s David Ford.
The CHAMP!! pic.twitter.com/UysGGAQRc0
— Colorado Buffaloes Men's Golf (@CUBuffsMGolf) September 5, 2022
Missouri won both the team and individual titles at the Tiger Turning Stone Intercollegiate. The Tigers defended their title from last year with the 11-stroke victory over runner-up, Stetson, and Jack Lundin finished at 13 under to win the individual crown.
Women
ANNIKA Award: Preseason watch list for 2022-23 season
Sarah Burnham got off to a great start in her head coaching career at Oakland.
In her first tournament as coach, Oakland captured the A-Ga-Ming Invitational in Kewadin, Michigan. Oakland won by three strokes over host Central Michigan. Freshman Bridget Boczar tied for first at 4 over but lost in a playoff to Eastern Michigan’s Alyssa DiMarcantonio. Paige Scott finished tied for third at 5 over for Oakland.
Western Kentucky freshman Sydney Hackett earned her first collegiate win in her first start for the Hilltoppers at the USA Intercollegiate at Magnolia Grove Crossing Golf Course in Mobile, Alabama. The freshman fired a school-record 10-under 206 for her 54-hole total, including a final-round 4-under 68, to claim the championship.
In just one collegiate start, Sydney Hackett is already a champion! 🏆
Finishing at 10-under 206 with this putt, she is the 2022 USA Intercollegiate individual medalist! #GoTops | #ChampionsClimbHere pic.twitter.com/iD6RweqAaC
— WKU Lady Topper Golf (@WKUWomensGolf) September 5, 2022
It is the first time a Lady Topper has taken home an individual championship since Megan Clarke won the Little Rock Golf Classic in Fall 2018.
Arkansas State won the event at 14 under par, beating South Alabama by five strokes.
On Monday, the ANNIKA Intercollegiate gets underway in Lake Elmo, Minnesota, right outside of St. Paul. The 54-hole event features some of the top women’s college golf teams in the country, including Wake Forest, Oregon and defending champion South Carolina.
