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AUGUSTA, Ga. – Augusta University’s Division I men’s and women’s golf programs are set to join the West Coast Conference (WCC) as affiliate members beginning with the 2025-26 academic year, the league announced today.
“This is a great day for Augusta Golf,” Augusta Director of Athletics Ryan Erlacher said. “The West Coast Conference has an excellent reputation and will provide a wonderful new home for our golf programs. They’ve been beyond impressive to work with and we are grateful to their leadership for this tremendous opportunity. We look forward to representing the WCC exceedingly well for years to come.”
Augusta’s men’s golf program brings a storied tradition to the WCC. The Jaguars captured back-to-back NCAA National Championships in 2010 and 2011. Broc Everett added to Augusta’s championship history by winning the 2018 NCAA Individual National Title. Over the years, the program has produced 23 All-Americans, underscoring its sustained success at the highest level of Division I collegiate golf. Among the program’s most notable alumni are Patrick Reed – winner of the 2018 Masters – Henrik Norlander, and Vaughn Taylor, all established PGA Tour professionals. The program is also uniquely linked to Augusta National Golf Club, home of the Masters Tournament, placing it at the heart of one of the most iconic golf communities in the world. Most recently, Augusta returned to the NCAA Championships in 2025 after winning the Southland Conference title.
The Jaguars have advanced to NCAA Regionals 25 times in program history, highlighted by top five finishes in 1993, 1998, 2002, 2005, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2018, and 2025. Augusta has also captured three consecutive Southland Conference Championships (2023, 2024, 2025), with individual titles from Cole Stevens (2024) and Bo Blanchard II (2025). Blanchard was named the 2025 Southland Conference Men’s Golfer of the Year and the 2025 Southland Conference Men’s Golf Student-Athlete of the Year before going on to win the Georgia Amateur Championship.
“This is an exciting announcement for our program,” Augusta Director of Golf and Men’s Head Coach Steven Paine said. “Joining the West Coast Conference positions our team among top-tier competition and opens new opportunities for growth, exposure, and championship play. Our players will embrace the challenge, and we’re confident this move will elevate our program to even greater heights.”
The Augusta women’s golf program has also established itself as a consistent postseason contender. The Jaguars advanced to the NCAA Championships in 2023 and have appeared in 11 NCAA Regionals, including each of the past four seasons. The Jaguars have also produced back-to-back Southland individual champions, with Kennedy Carroll winning in 2024 and Zoe Pinillos in 2025. Pinillos was named the 2025 Southland Conference Women’s Golfer of the Year, following Mirabel Ting (2023) and Carroll (2024). In 2025, after claiming the Southland Conference individual championship, Pinillos represented Augusta at the NCAA Norman Regional.
Women’s Golf Head Coach Ember Holloway said, “We’re incredibly excited to be joining the West Coast Conference. It’s a great opportunity for Augusta Women’s Golf to compete at a higher level, grow as a team, and represent our university with pride. We’re ready for the challenge and grateful for the chance to be a part of something bigger.”
“We are excited to welcome Augusta to the West Coast Conference as affiliate members in men’s and women’s golf,” said West Coast Conference Commissioner Stu Jackson. “With a strong investment in both programs, the Jaguars have captured conference titles and are regular competitors in the NCAA postseason. The West Coast Conference is a premier league in men’s and women’s golf, highlighted by multiple NCAA Regional bids this past season, including four men’s selections. Augusta’s addition strengthens the competitive excellence and expands the footprint and reach of the league. We look forward to welcoming Augusta to West Coast Conference competition this year.”
AUGUSTA GOLF FACTS
NCAA National Championships
Men’s Team Titles: 2010, 2011 (back-to-back NCAA Match Play Championships)
Individual Champion: Broc Everett, 2018
NCAA Championships Team Appearances
Most Recent: 2025 – Omni La Costa Resort (Carlsbad, Calif.)
25 NCAA Regional appearances, highlighted by top-five finishes in 1993, 1998, 2002, 2005, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2018, and 2025
Recent Success – Men’s Golf
Southland Conference Team Champions: 2023, 2024, 2025
Southland Individual Champions: Cole Stevens (2024), Bo Blanchard (2025)
Southland Conference Men’s Golfer of the Year: Cole Stevens (2024), Bo Blanchard (2025)
Southland Conference Freshman of the Year: Gareth Steyn (2022), Stefan Jacobs (2023)
Southland Conference Men’s Golf Student-Athlete of the Year: Bo Blanchard (2025)
Southland Coach of the Year: Steven Paine (2023, 2024, 2025)
Georgia Amateur Champion: Bo Blanchard (2025)
All-Americans: 23 in program history
Recent Success – Women’s Golf
NCAA Championship Appearance: 2023
NCAA Regionals: 11 appearances since 2006
Southland Conference Team Champions: 2022, 2023, 2024
Southland Individual Champions: Kennedy Carroll (2024), Zoe Pinillos (2025)
Southland Conference Women’s Golfer of the Year: Mirabel Ting (2023), Kennedy Carroll (2024), Zoe Pinillos (2025)
Southland Conference Freshman of the Year: Chloe Holder (2022), Mirabel Ting (2023), Kiera Gonzalez-McCarthy (2024)
Southland Conference Women’s Golf Student-Athlete of the Year: Kennedy Caroll (2024)
All-Americans: Mirabel Ting (2023)
About the West Coast Conference
The West Coast Conference was formed in 1952 and has evolved and grown to become a nationally recognized and competitive force in Division I intercollegiate athletics. The WCC sponsors 16 sports with a three-state footprint that includes Gonzaga, LMU, Pacific, Pepperdine, Portland, Saint Mary’s, San Diego, San Francisco, Santa Clara and Seattle U. Follow the West Coast Conference @WCCsports on X, Instagram, and Facebook.
