Story Links
LA JOLLA, Calif. – The UC San Diego men’s golf team is set to conclude its fall season at the inaugural Pearl at Kalauoa Invitational.
The University of Hawai’i is hosting the 18-team event Nov. 5-6 at the Pearl at Kalauao in ‘Aiea on the island of O’ahu.
The teams will play 36 holes Wednesday and a final 18 holes Thursday. A 9:30 a.m. (Pacific) shotgun start is scheduled for both days.
The Tritons, ranked 96th in the Oct. 29 national poll, have posted a top five finish in all three tournaments they have competed in this season. Most recently, they were fourth of 17 teams at the Pacific Inivitational in Stockton, Calif.
UC San Diego comes into the event as the fourth highest ranked team in the field, topped only by West Virginia (35), Butler (89), and Southern Illinois (93).
Eight Tritons will be playing in Hawai’i – five aiming to win the team title and three competing as individuals.
All three rounds can be followed with live scoring.
THE COURSE
• Pearl at Kalauao
• 98-535 Kaonohi Street, Aiea, Hawai’i, 96701
• Par: 72
• Yardage: 6,955
Nestled in the ‘Ewa moku of O’ahu, Kalauao is a region rich in history and cultural knowledge. Here, mo’olelo (stories), wahi pana (storied places), traditional names, and distinctive features of the ‘aina (land) collectively contribute to its cultural richness. This historical and cultural knowledge serves as a cornerstone for responsible stewardship, ensuring prominence in all activities related to the land. Following renovations, the venue offers enhanced facilities, premium paspalum greens, and a revitalized experience that blends tradition with modern luxury.
THE TEAMS
(National ranking as of 10/29/25)
• Air Force (247)
• Army (232)
• Augusta (146)
• Baylor (142)
• Belmont (230)
• Butler (89)
• California Baptist (150)
• Eastern Kentucky (176)
• Eastern Michigan (109)
• Hawai’i (N/A)
• Hawai’i Pacific (N/A)
• Nevada (138)
• Southern Illinois (93)
• Tennessee at Martin (170)
• UC San Diego (96)
• Utah Tech (105)
• West Virginia (35)
• Wichita State (193)
THE TRITON LINEUP
1. Davis McDowell (Sr., 69.7 stroke average this season)
2. Justin Gill (Jr., 72.1)
3. Nathan Tseng (Sr., 71.6)
4. Hanjie Yu (Fr., 72.3)
5. Francis Catalano (Sr., 72.2)
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Individual: Leo Cheng (Sr., 71.7)
Individual: Calvin Kong (Sr., 71.3)
Individual: Ethan Lien (Fr., 69.3)
2025-26 UC SAN DIEGO ROSTER BREAKDOWN
Returning (6)
• Francis Catalano (Sr., 73.3 stroke average in 2024-25)
• Leo Cheng (Sr., 77.8)
• Justin Gill (Jr., 74.2)
• Calvin Kong (Sr., 76.1)
• Davis McDowell (Sr., 73.6)
• Nathan Tseng (Sr., 72.7)
Newcomers (3)
• Ethan Lien (Fr.)
• Austin Woods (Fr.)
• Hanjie Yu (Fr.)
Lost (5)
• Adriel Aboag
• Kyle Dougherty
• Eli Geddy
• Akira Isayama
• Junfan Wang
2025-26 UC SAN DIEGO FINISHES
• Pacific Invite: 4th of 17, -19 (281-271-293–845)
• Falcon Invite: 3rd of 23, -12 (287-279-286–852)
• Ram Masters: 5th of 16, +15 (278-289-288–855)
2025-26 TOP TRITON FINISHERS
• Pacific Invite: Justin Gill, tie-5th of 96, -7 (67-69-73–209)
• Falcon Invite: Davis McDowell, tie-5th of 115, -7 (72-65-72–209)
• Ram Masters: Davis McDowell, 1st of 91, -6 (65-69-70–204)
PLAYER BY PLAYER IN 2025-26
Francis CATALANO
Stroke average: 72.2 – Low Round: 70 – Par or better rounds: 4
• Pacific Invitational: 34th of 96, +2 (73-70-75–218)
• Falcon Invitational: 35th of 115, +1 (76-71-70–217)
• Ram Masters: 22nd of 91, +5 (74-71-70–215)
Leo CHENG
Stroke average: 72.2 – Low Round: 71.7 – Par or better rounds: 2
• Air Force Silver Individual: 18th of 40, -1 (77-68-70–215)
Justin GILL
Stroke average: 72.1 – Low Round: 67 – Par or better rounds: 3
• Pacific Invitational: 5th of 96, -7 (67-69-73–209)
• Falcon Invitational: 63rd of 115, +4 (76-74-70–220)
• Ram Masters: 39th of 91, +10 (73-73-74–220)
Calvin KONG
Stroke average: 71.3 – Low Round: 69 – Par or better rounds: 2
• Air Force Silver Individual: 13th of 40, -2 (70-75-69–214)
Ethan LIEN
Stroke average: 69.3 – Low Round: 65 – Par or better rounds: 2
• Air Force Silver Individual: 3rd of 40, -8 (65-74-69–208)
Davis MCDOWELL
Stroke average: 69.7 – Low Round: 65 – Par or better rounds: 8
• Pacific Invitational: 23rd of 96, -2 (72-69-73–214)
• Falcon Invitational: 5th of 115, -7 (72-65-72–209)
• Ram Masters: 1st of 91, -6 (65-69-70–204)
Nathan TSENG
Stroke average: 71.6 – Low Round: 66 – Par or better rounds: 5
• Pacific Invitational: 13th of 96, -5 (70-67-74–211)
• Falcon Invitational: 35th of 115, +1 (70-72-75–217)
• Ram Masters: 26th of 91, +6 (66-76-74–216)
Hanjie YU
Stroke average: 72.3 – Low Round: 66 – Par or better rounds: 4
• Pacific Invitational: 13th of 96, -5 (72-66-73–211)
• Falcon Invitational: 18th of 115, -2 (69-71-74–214)
• Ram Masters: 66th of 91, +16 (74-78-74–226)
MCDOWELL IS FIRST TRITON TO WIN BIG WEST GOLFER OF THE MONTH
UC San Diego’s Davis McDowell was tabbed the Big West Golfer of the Month for September of 2025, becoming the first Triton to win the award. The senior won a tournament and finished fifth in another during the month. At the Ram Masters Invitational, hosted by Colorado State at Fort Collins Country Club, McDowell was the individual champion, shooting 6-under par to top the 91-player field. He led wire-to-wire and fired rounds of 65 (-5), 69 (-1), and 70 (even) for a total of 204. Incredibly, it was McDowell’s first collegiate tournament in almost a year as he was returning from a wrist injury. McDowell followed up his victory by placing fifth of 115 competitors at the Falcon Invitational, hosted by Air Force. At Eisenhower Golf Club, he shot 7-under par by recording rounds of 72 (even), 65 (-7), and 72 (E) for a total of 209. McDowell’s outings helped UC San Diego place third of 23 teams at the Falcon Invitational and fifth of 16 teams at the Ram Masters Invitational. The victory was the second of McDowell’s career. A three-time All-Big West selection, McDowell earned his first collegiate victory in 2023 at the Orange County Collegiate at Coto de Caza Golf & Racquet Club.
MCDOWELL WINS SEASON OPENER
After not playing a collegiate event for almost a year, Davis McDowell returned in a big way, winning the Ram Masters Invitational in Fort Collins, Colorado, on September 12. McDowell led the 91-player field wire-to-wire. Over 54 holes, he finished 6-under par, going 5-under and 1-under in Thursday’s first two rounds and closing with an even par effort Friday. He finished one stroke ahead of Colorado State’s Alessandro Trenta and two in front of Long Beach State’s Alejandro de Castro. McDowell had last played a college event in October of 2024 at the White Sands Collegiate in the Bahamas. The win in Colorado was McDowell’s second career victory as he won the Orange County Collegiate in February of 2023 as a sophomore.
TRITONS GET FIRST NCAA DIVISION I WIN
UC San Diego earned its first NCAA Division I victory last season at the El Macero Classic, hosted by UC Davis. The Tritons finished one-over par, topping second place Saint Mary’s by a single stroke and third place Pacific by two strokes. There were 17 teams in contention. Individually, three Tritons placed in the top six. Nathan Tseng (-3) was third, Kyle Dougherty (-2) was fifth, and Francis Catalano (even par) finished sixth. Read the press release here.
UC SAN DIEGO ACCEPTS OFFER TO JOIN WEST COAST CONFERENCE
On Sept. 3, 2025, UC San Diego accepted a formal invitation to join the West Coast Conference (WCC) and will begin competing in the conference starting with the 2027-28 season. Men’s golf is a sport sponsored by the conference. In 2027-28, the WCC membership will consist of: University of California San Diego, Loyola Marymount University, University of the Pacific, Pepperdine University, University of Portland, Saint Mary’s College, University of San Diego, University of San Francisco, Santa Clara University, and Seattle University. UC San Diego will become the first public institution in the West Coast Conference since the departure of the University of Nevada-Reno in 1979. Read the complete press release here.
A RETURN TO LA QUINTA FOR THE CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP
The 2026 Big West Men’s Golf Championship is set for May 3-5 at La Quinta Country Club in La Quinta, Calif. In 2025, UC San Diego competed in its first-ever Big West Championship, which was also contested at La Quinta. The Tritons tied for seventh of 12 teams. Kyle Dougherty was UC San Diego’s top finisher, tying for 15th in the 72-player field.
GET IN GEAR HERE
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WHY THE TRITONS
The Triton is described as the offspring of Poseidon and Amphitrite, a demigod of the sea with a lower part of the body like that of a fish. It is known as a mighty and fierce sea warrior. Given UC San Diego’s close proximity to the Pacific Ocean and its connections with the world-famous Scripps Institution of Oceanography, the Triton became UC San Diego’s mascot in 1964.
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About UC San Diego Athletics
After two decades as one of the most successful programs in NCAA Division II, the UC San Diego intercollegiate athletics program began a new era in 2020 as a member of the Big West Conference in NCAA Division I. The 23-sport Tritons earned 30 team and nearly 150 individual national championships during its time in Divisions III and II and helped guide 1,400 scholar-athletes to All-America honors. A total of 84 Tritons have earned Academic All-America honors, while 38 have earned prestigious NCAA Post Graduate Scholarships. UC San Diego scholar-athletes exemplify the academic ideals of one of the world’s preeminent institutions, graduating at an average rate of 91 percent, one of the highest rates among institutions at all divisions.
