Cal Poly Men's Golf Eyes First Big West Title Since 2006 at La Quinta

Key facts

• Cal Poly men's golf has not won the Big West Championship since 2006.
• The 54-hole tournament runs May 3-5 at La Quinta Country Club (7,056 yards, par 72).
• No. 28 Long Beach State is the three-time defending champion, winning four of the last five titles.
• Sophomore Nolan Kuszyk (72.4 strokes per round) leads Cal Poly, competing in all 30 rounds this season.
• Freshman Rafael Bobo-Lloret (72.6) was named Big West Golfer of the Month for February.
• Cal Poly women's golf won the 2026 Big West Championship at Ka'anapali Golf Course with a score of 866.
• Senior Sarah Yoo led the women's team, finishing fourth individually, one stroke off her career low.
• The women's team was the fifth seed and qualified automatically for the NCAA Regional tournament.

Mustangs Seek to End 20-Year Title Drought

The Cal Poly men's golf program opens the Big West Championship on Sunday morning at La Quinta Country Club, aiming to capture its first conference title since 2006. The three-round, 54-hole competition begins with 18 holes on May 3, continues Monday, and concludes Tuesday, May 5. The Mustangs finished third in both the 2023 and 2024 championships, with Baron Szeto sharing the individual title in 2023. But the program has not claimed a team victory since its lone triumph two decades ago. Standing in their way is No. 28 Long Beach State, the three-time defending champion and winner of four of the last five Big West titles.

Kuszyk and Bobo-Lloret Anchor Cal Poly Lineup

Sophomore Nolan Kuszyk enters the championship as Cal Poly's low scorer this season, averaging 72.4 strokes per round. He is the only Mustang to compete in all 30 rounds this year, leading the team with three top-10 finishes, five top-20 showings, and 11 rounds under par, including four in the 60s. Freshman Rafael Bobo-Lloret follows closely with a 72.6 average, eight rounds under par, and three rounds in the 60s. He was named Big West Golfer of the Month for February after sharing the individual title at CSUN's Bill Cullum Invitational on Feb. 2-3. Rounding out the Cal Poly lineup are graduate student Kyle Dougherty (74.1), freshman Zihao Wang (74.5), and junior Jack Jarvis (74.6).

Women's Team Triumphs as Underdogs in Maui

The Cal Poly women's golf team won the Big West Championship at Ka'anapali Golf Course in Maui, Hawaii, with a final score of 866, securing the program's fifth conference title. The victory came after two years of disappointment following three consecutive championships. Senior Sarah Yoo, who finished fourth individually—one stroke off her career low—led the Mustangs. "I hope my old teammates are proud of me, the ones that have won consecutive times," Yoo said. "This is what it feels like to win. It's just truly ecstatic." Yoo reflected on overcoming a rough start at Cal Poly: "After you deal with a lot of downs, you either just sulk or you just accept it and learn from it and move on."

No Expectations Fuel Surprise Victory

The Mustangs entered the women's championship as the fifth seed out of nine teams. Sophomore Nicole Koong, who finished fifth individually, said, "Honestly, I didn't have any expectations at all. Golf is just a crazy game in that way where you never know what can happen." Freshmen Alex Flier and Maddy Saysanasongkham, who shared a room in Hawaii, recalled their conversation the night before the final round. "We really need to lock in, we need to do our best and go out there and just have a great day," Saysanasongkham said. Flier had trouble sleeping but felt excited, while Saysanasongkham said she wasn't nervous, citing her faith in the team.

Automatic NCAA Regional Berth Secured

Winning the Big West Championship automatically qualified the women's team for the NCAA Regional tournament. At each regional site, the five top-placing teams and the lowest-scoring individual advance to the National Championship. The victory marked a redemption arc for Yoo, who joined the program after its third consecutive title but experienced two years of disappointment. "Everyone was expecting us to win, especially having won three times in a row in the past," Yoo said. "When we didn't win and when I didn't play good my first year, it definitely was a bit crushing." Now, with the title secured, Yoo said, "It makes me want more."

Men's Championship Field Set for Sunday Start

The men's Big West Championship will feature all conference teams at La Quinta Country Club, a 7,056-yard, par-72 course. CSUN's men's team, which also opens play Sunday, is among the competitors. Cal Poly's men's team will rely on its balanced lineup, with Kuszyk and Bobo-Lloret providing low scoring and experience. The Mustangs will need to overcome Long Beach State's recent dominance to claim their first title in 20 years. The championship concludes Tuesday, with the winner earning an automatic bid to the NCAA Regional tournament.

The bottom line

• Cal Poly men's golf seeks its first Big West title since 2006, facing three-time defending champion Long Beach State.
• Sophomore Nolan Kuszyk leads the Mustangs with a 72.4 stroke average and 11 rounds under par this season.
• The women's team won the Big West Championship as the fifth seed, led by senior Sarah Yoo's fourth-place finish.
• Freshmen Alex Flier and Maddy Saysanasongkham contributed as scorers in the women's victory.
• Both the men's and women's champions earn automatic qualification to the NCAA Regional tournament.
• The women's victory ended a two-year drought after three consecutive titles, highlighting the team's resilience.