The bad news? School is back in session for student-athletes across the country. The good news? College golf is officially back, as well.
After a busy summer amateur schedule that featured a somewhat return to normalcy amid the coronavirus pandemic, it’s time to focus back in on the college game. What better way to celebrate than with preseason award watch lists?
The Haskins Award honors the player of the year in college men’s golf, as selected by college golfers, coaches and members of the college golf media. The players are listed alphabetically. Players on the Haskins Award Watch List were selected by a panel of Golfweek and Golf Channel writers.
Golfweek/Sagarin Rankings: Men’s team | Men’s individual
In 11 events as a sophomore Aberg finished inside the top 10 eight times, six times in the top five. If the Red Raiders are competing, Aberg’s contending.
Texas Tech golfer Ludvig Aberg tees off on the tenth hole during the NCAA Men’s Golf Championship at Grayhawk Golf Club. (Photo: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports)
Bennett earned three wins last season, including consecutive victories at the Old Waverly Collegiate and Aggie Invitational. Finished his junior year with a T-2 showing at the NCAA Albuquerque Regional.
Sam Bennett of Texas A&M fired a 67 in the final round to win the Texas Valero Open and earn an exemption to the Valero Texas Open. (Contributed photo)
Last season Bridgeman defended his title at the Palmetto Intercollegiate and won his second event of the year at the Camp Creek Seminole Invitational. He finished fifth in stroke play at the ACC Championship and helped Clemson advance to the national championship with a T-19 finish at the Kingston Springs Regional.
Clemson’s Jacob Bridgeman. (Photo: Meaghan Frazier, Clemson Athletics)
Ranked No. 5 in the world, Castillo constantly finds himself in the mix. Was first team All-SEC and freshman of the year in 2020 but didn’t take a step forward in 2021. Played well this summer and projects to have a big third year.
Ricky Castillo reacts to his birdie on the 18th hole that extended the match during the round of 32 at the 2021 U.S. Amateur at Oakmont Country Club in Oakmont, Pennsylvania on Thursday, Aug. 12, 2021. (Chris Keane/USGA)
After starting his collegiate career at Wake Forest, Chacarra was a Golfweek first-team All-American and Big 12 Newcomer of the Year last season for Oklahoma State. He finished in the top 10 eight times, five times in the top five. Not only does he have the game, he’s got the swagger and confidence to go with it.
Oklahoma State’s Eugenio Chacarra. (Photo: Oklahoma State Athletics)
Earned five top-five finishes and won the George Hannon Collegiate last season for the Longhorns. In 11 appearances he finished inside the top 10 eight times.
Pierceson Coody lines up a putt on the second green during the first round of the U.S. Open at Torrey Pines. (Photo: Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Sports)
Fitzpatrick was a finalist for the Haskins Award last year after earning his first collegiate win in addition to two other top five finishes and two more in the top 20.
Wake Forest golfer Alex Fitzpatrick tees off on the first hole during the NCAA Men’s Golf Championship at Grayhawk Golf Club. (Photo: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports)
As a freshman for the Ospreys, Gabrelcik won three events and finished inside the top 10 in seven of nine tournaments. He set a program season record with a 69.59 stroke average thanks to only four rounds over par.
North Florida’s Nick Gabrelcik. (Photo: North Florida Men’s Golf)
Goodwin’s worst finishes last season? A T-21 and T-11. He ended the spring with a win at the Stillwater Regional to highlight a campaign that featured five top-five finishes in seven events. Goodwin continues to improve each year, setting him up for a strong senior season.
SMU’s Noah Goodwin. (Photo: SMU men’s golf)
Hall went on a heater down the stretch last season with wins at the Augusta Haskins Award Invitational and NCAA Albuquerque Regional, where he shot 68-68-69 to punch his ticket to the national championship as an individual. The only time he finished outside the top 20 was when he missed the cut at the NCAA Championship.
South Carolina’s Ryan Hall. (Photo: South Carolina Athletics)
The former No. 1 amateur in the world had just four top-10 finishes last season and played short of expectations over the summer. That said, Hammer is still one of the nation’s best and can turn it on fast. Look for the senior to have a strong final season.
Cole Hammer celebrates making a birdie putt on the 18 hole to win his Foursomes match at the 2021 Walker Cup at Seminole Golf Club in Juno Beach, Florida on Saturday, May 8, 2021. (Photo: Scott Halleran/USGA)
Jin went out with a bang last season, finishing T2-2-2 at the Big 12 Championship, NCAA Stillwater Regional and NCAA Championship, respectively, and rode that momentum into the summer. He’s now the big man on campus for the Cowboys and he’s poised for a breakout year.
Oklahoma State golfer Bo Jin looks chips on the ninth fringe during the NCAA Men’s Golf Championship at Grayhawk Golf Club. (Photo: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports)
You want this guy on your scramble team because he can catch fire on the course. Johnston earned four top-five finishes last season with the Sun Devils, including a third-place showing at the NCAA Championship.
Arizona State golfer Ryggs Johnston tees off on the first during the NCAA Men’s Golf Championship at Grayhawk Golf Club. (Photo: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports)
Menante was a third team All-American for the national champions thanks to a team-best nine top-20 finishes and six top-10 finishes. Won the Northeast Amateur this summer and then finished second at the Pacific Coast Amateur.
Pepperdine golfer Dylan Menante tees off on the first during the NCAA: Men’s Golf Championship Final at Grayhawk Golf Club. (Photo: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports)
A second team Golfweek All-American as a freshman in 2019-20, Mouw took a bit of a step back as far as results last season. That said, he still earned seven top-20 finishes. Look for the junior to have a strong comeback season.
William Mouw during a practice round of the 2020 East Lake Cup on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020. (Photo: Kristin M. Bradshaw)
Phillips was named first team All-SEC for the third straight season last year and returns to captain the Bulldogs after a busy summer that included a win at the Sunnehanna Amateur.
Georgia’s Trent Phillips. (Photo: Georgia Men’s Golf)
Puig was a second-team Golfweek All-American after winning the Southwestern Invitational and Amer Ari Intercollegiate in consecutive weeks. Finished the season with top-10 finishes at the ASU Thunderbird Collegiate (T-6), Pac-12 Championship (T-8) and NCAA Albuquerque Regional (8).
Arizona State golfer David Puig tees off from the tenth tee during the NCAA Men’s Golf Championship at Grayhawk Golf Club. (Photo: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports)
Scott came back for a fifth year last season but played just three tournaments before suffering a season-ending wrist injury. The last time we saw the Scot at his best for Texas Tech was in 2019-20 when he won the Carmel Cup and finished inside the top 10 three times. If he’s able to fully recover from his injury, he’ll be another strong weapon for the Red Raiders.
Texas Tech golfer Sandy Scott tees off on the second hole during an NCAA golf tournament on Monday, Oct. 21, 2019 in Windermere, Florida. (Photo: Phelan M. Ebenhack/AP)
After a successful junior golf career, Thorbjornsen earned just three top-20 finishes in his freshman year at Stanford. He’s primed for a big year after consecutive summer wins at the Massachusetts Amateur and Western Amateur.
Michael Thorbjornsen plays his shot from the 17th tee during the first round of the 2019 U.S. Open golf tournament at Pebble Beach Golf Links. (Photo: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports)
Vick showed just how good he is with his semifinal run at the U.S. Amateur this summer. After a streaky sophomore season for the Longhorns, look for Vick to take a big step forward.
University of Texas Teammates Parker Coody, L, and Travis Vick watch a drive during the round of 32 at the 2021 U.S. Amateur at Oakmont Country Club in Oakmont, Pa. on Thursday, Aug. 12, 2021. (Chris Keane/USGA)
English
French
German
Italian
Japanese
Spanish