The University of California San Diego men’s golf team will begin its 2026-27 season September 10-11 at the 14th annual Ram Masters Invitational, hosted by Colorado State University at Fort Collins Country Club in Fort Collins, Colorado.
The tournament features 16 teams competing over 54 holes, including nationally ranked programs BYU (23rd) and Colorado (51st). UC San Diego enters the event ranked 103rd after the 2025-26 season. Big West Conference members Cal State Fullerton, UC Davis, and UC Santa Barbara also participate in the event.
The Tritons’ lineup includes three returning players: senior Justin Gill, who averaged a 72.7 stroke average last season; sophomore Ethan Lien with a 73.2 average; and sophomore Hanjie Yu, who averaged 73.4. Two freshmen, Jerry Zhu and Cole Kim, complete the five-player roster for this tournament.
This marks UC San Diego’s fourth appearance at the Ram Masters Invitational. Last season, the Tritons placed fifth among 16 teams, with senior Davis McDowell winning the individual title by shooting six-under par. Both Gill and Yu also competed in last year’s tournament.
The tournament rounds begin at 7 a.m. Pacific Time September 10 for rounds one and two, and continue at the same time September 11 for the final round. Fans can follow live scoring through the event’s official scoreboard link.
Fort Collins Country Club, established in 1959, offers wide fairways, strategic bunkers, pristine greens, and mature landscaping, providing a challenging but rewarding venue for competition.
Moreover, UC San Diego recently accepted an invitation to join the West Coast Conference and will officially begin competing there on July 1, 2027, marking a transition from the Big West Conference.
CSB Take
The Ram Masters Invitational presents an early opportunity for UC San Diego’s men’s golf team to test its blend of experienced returners and promising freshmen against strong competition, including nationally ranked programs. The tournament sets a competitive tone for the Tritons as they continue to develop their standing in NCAA Division I golf. The upcoming transition to the West Coast Conference in 2027 underscores the importance of building momentum now to maintain and elevate their success at a higher level of competition.
Source: Original report
