LOGAN, Utah – Utah State's golf team will travel to Maricopa, Arizona, this weekend to compete in the 2025 GOLFWEEK National Golf Invitational (NGI) Championship.
Utah State is participating in the postseason for just the second time in program history, joining the 1981 team that competed in the NCAA Tournament.
The Aggies will join nine other teams at the 54-hole event, which takes place Friday through Sunday, May 16-18, on the par-72, 7,802-yard Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club. Along with Utah State, the 10-team field includes George Mason, Ohio State, Oregon State, Rhode Island, Richmond, Stetson, Texas State, Utah Valley and West Virginia.
Utah State Head Coach Dean Johansen
"It's a tremendous honor for our team to compete in the GOLFWEEK National Golf Invitational Championship. This is only the second postseason appearance in program history, and it's a testament to the dedication and growth of our student-athletes. We've worked hard all year to put ourselves in this position, and I'm incredibly proud of how far we've come. This weekend is an opportunity to showcase Utah State golf on a national stage and build momentum for the future."
GOLFWEEK National Golf Invitational Championship
Date: May 16-18
Location: Maricopa, Arizona
Host Course: Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club
Par: 72
Yardage: 7,802
Live Scoring:
Golfstat.com
Utah State Lineup
1.
Esteban Jaramillo (Senior)
2.
Julio Arronte (Senior)
3.
John Cook (Graduate)
4.
Enrique Karg (Sophomore)
5.
Toby Heider (Freshman)
About the Aggies
Scheduled to compete for the Aggies are graduate
John Cook (Aguora Hills, California), senior
Julio Arronte (Xalapa,Veracruz, Mexico), senior
Esteban Jaramillo (Bogota, Colombia), sophomore
Enrique Karg (Guadalajara, Mexico) and freshman
Toby Heider (Kimberly, Idaho).
Arronte leads the Aggies with a stroke average of 71.65 over 26 rounds this season, while Jaramillo has a stroke average of 72.42 over 26 rounds. Cook has a stroke average of 72.92 over 26 rounds. Karg has a stroke average of 73.52 over 23 rounds. Heider has a stroke average of 73.67 over six rounds.
Last Time Out
Utah State placed sixth at the 2025 Mountain West Championship at 16-under 848 (286-279-283). All five Utah State golfers finished the tournament under par, which is a first in program history. Jaramillo tied for 19th at 4-under 212 (69-73-70). Cook tied for 23rd at 2-under 214 (70-71-73). Karg tied for 23rd at 2-under 214 (75-68-71). Arronte tied for 28th at 1-under 215 (75-71-69). Heider tied for 28th at 1-under 215 (72-69-74).
Utah State's sixth place finish is its best in a conference tournament since also finishing sixth at the 2013 Western Athletic Conference Championships. Its best finish prior to that was a fourth-place finish at the 2009 WAC Championships.
USU's 16-under 848 is its best-ever 54-hole score at a conference tournament and best 54-hole score at any tournament since shooting a school record 29-under 835 to win the 2023 Monterrey Collegiate Classic.
About the National Golf Invitational Championship
In May 2022, the NCAA announced it would allow schools to play in one season-ending event. Think of the NGI as the NIT of collegiate golf.
Teams are selected based on their season-long performance, overall rankings and head-to-head record against other NCAA Division I teams.
The scoring format will be like a traditional college team event with each team starting five players and counting the four best scores. Substitutions will be allowed as in NCAA play. Individual and team champions will be determined after 54 holes. There will be a playoff for team and/or individual competition if needed.
Follow
For more information on the Utah State golf program, follow the Aggies on Twitter at @USUMensGolf, Facebook at USUMensGolf and Instagram at USUGolf.
