California State University, Stanislaus Warriors men’s golf team will start their 2026-27 season on Monday, September 14, competing at the Wildcat Classic held at Peach Tree Country Club in Marysville, California. The two-day tournament will conclude Tuesday, September 15, with a field of 12 teams, including five from the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) and NCAA Division I Sacramento State.
Head Coach Brandon Christianson leads an eight-player roster featuring returning seniors Carson Diaz and Ricky Sullivan, junior Riley Kirk, juniors Ryan Giardino and Luke Hyland, and sophomores Sinjin Armstrong, Mitchell Katz, who will compete individually at the opener, and Mason Montgomery.
Riley Kirk, the top returner, posted a 74.7 scoring average during the 2025-26 season with two top-15 finishes, including an 11th-place at last year’s Chico State Wildcat Classic. Seniors Diaz and Sullivan bring experience with scoring averages of 75.3 and 75.5, respectively, last season.
The Warriors earned the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA) PLATFORM Team Academic Award for the previous year, recognizing their dedication to academic excellence.
The fall schedule includes three tournaments: the Wildcat Classic, the RCA Electric Fall Invitational October 5-6 at TPC Monterey Bay, and the Otter Invitational October 12-13 at Bayonet & Black Horse in Seaside. The spring features several events starting February 15-16 at the CSUDH Invite, with additional tournaments throughout March and April, including hosting the 52nd Hanny Stanislaus Invitational April 12-13 in Turlock.
Postseason play will include the 2027 CCAA Men’s Golf Championship April 19-21 at La Purisima Golf Course in Lompoc, followed by the NCAA Division II South Central/West Regional May 6-8 in San Antonio, Texas, and the NCAA Division II National Championship May 17-21 in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.
CSB Take
The Stanislaus State Warriors men’s golf team’s 2026-27 schedule emphasizes a balanced mix of competition and opportunities for academic and athletic growth. The return of key players like Riley Kirk, Carson Diaz, and Ricky Sullivan provides a solid foundation for the season. Opening with the Wildcat Classic against strong regional opponents sets a competitive tone, and hosting the historic Hanny Stanislaus Invitational demonstrates the program’s commitment to prominence in college golf. This schedule gives the Warriors a platform to contend in the CCAA and aim for success at the national level.
Source: Original report
