Ducks Launch Season at Vuori Invitational in Rancho Santa Fe
The 2026-27 campaign begins under the California sun as Oregon's men's golf team steps onto the first tee at Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club.
Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. – The air hangs still over the first tee as the Oregon Ducks prepare to break the silence of the off-season. This Monday, the program kicks off its 21st year under Casey Martin, stepping onto the manicured fairways of the Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club. The sand traps glow white against the deep green, a stark reminder of the precision required in a 54-hole gauntlet.
The stakes are high for the opening weekend, with 36 holes played on September 14 and the final round following on September 15. This course sits ten miles from Omni La Costa Resort, the traditional home of the NCAA Championships, placing the Ducks in the geographic and competitive shadow of their ultimate goal.
Veterans Anchor a Rebuilding Roster
The core of the Ducks' strength returns with six experienced players. Sebastian Desoisa enters his sophomore year carrying the momentum of his All-Big Ten Freshman Team selection and a dominant 17-under victory at the Cal Poly Invitational. Tim Chang, now a junior, brings sharp form from a summer that saw him reach the quarterfinals of both the Oregon Amateur and PNGA Men's Amateur, capped by a win at the Florida Legacy Cup.
Ramil Saelim returns with a consistent 72.11 scoring average, while senior Jeffrey Kwak, the program’s most experienced active player with 60 career rounds, anchors the back end. Oscar Lent and Teddy Vigna round out the returning group, each bringing different levels of tournament exposure to the lineup.
Fresh Faces Join the Field
Four newcomers expand the roster, adding depth and diverse backgrounds to the squad. Adam Anderson transfers from Oklahoma, bringing Sooners experience to Eugene. Carl-Hugo Eriksson, a freshman with Swedish National Team credentials, makes his collegiate debut in the lineup. Von Gordon, who qualified for the California State Amateur and U.S. Junior Amateur, joins alongside Logan Park, whose 2024 Hogan Cup win and CIF Southern Section scoring record signal a high ceiling for his development.
A Competitive Field Awaits
The Vuori Invitational draws twelve teams, creating a dense and challenging field. Four opponents are ranked in the preseason top 40, including #18 BYU, #22 USC, #32 San Diego State, and #38 San Diego. These teams bring significant postseason experience, with four having recently appeared at the NCAA Championships. The presence of preseason All-America selections like Kihei Akina and Lev Grinberg ensures that every stroke will be scrutinized and contested.
Fans can follow the action live via Scoreboard Live and updates on X at @OregonMGolf. Tee times are set for 8 a.m. Pacific time each day, marking the official start of a season that aims to build on the Ducks' tradition of national relevance.
