2025 NCAA Golf Championships: Regional previews, key storylines, and top contenders

May 3, 2025 | by AmateurGolf.com Staff

Lottie Woad (Florida State Athletics Photo)

Catch up on the 2025 NCAA Golf Championships with key schedules, top teams like Auburn and Stanford, and rising stars

With the tension of March Madness behind us and the College World Series yet to tee off, college golf steps into the national spotlight. The 2025 NCAA Golf Regionals are more than just a qualifying gauntlet—they’re a proving ground for legacies, future stars, and underdog runs. Across the country, teams are preparing to punch their tickets to Carlsbad, California, where the NCAA Championship will crown this season’s elite.

Auburn, last year’s first-time men’s champion, enters with a target on its back. Meanwhile, Stanford’s women’s team, a dominant force in recent years, aims to extend their legacy. But rising programs like Florida State—fresh off an ACC title—and upstarts like Marquette could shake up the status quo in surprising ways.

Division I Men's Golf

Championship Dates: May 23–28

Venue: Omni La Costa Resort & Spa, Carlsbad, California

Regionals: May 12–14 at six sites:

Each regional features 13 or 14 teams, with the top five teams and the lowest-scoring individual not on those teams advancing to the national championship. Auburn returns with much of its championship core and seeks to become the first back-to-back champion in over a decade. Jackson Koivun already secured back-to-back individual SEC titles for the Tigers.

Marquette enters the Urbana Regional as the #8 seed, riding momentum from a Big East title. Facing off against top-tier programs like Oklahoma State and UNC, their depth will be tested. David Ford of North Carolina, who leads the PGA Tour University rankings, already has secured five wins this season, while top amateur Luke Clanton of Florida State has already secured his PGA Tour card and will look to add an NCAA championship.

Division I Women's Golf

Championship Dates: May 16–21

Venue: Omni La Costa Resort & Spa, Carlsbad, California

Regionals: May 5–7 at six sites:

OSU Golf Club – Columbus, OH
University Club of Kentucky – Lexington, KY
Jimmie Austin OU Golf Club – Norman, OK
Superstition Mountain Golf and Country Club – Gold Canyon, AZ
The Rawls Course – Lubbock, TX
Birdwood Golf Course – Charlottesville, VA

Stanford enters as defending champions with Megha Ganne leading the charge. Florida State is a program on the rise, led by Lottie Woad, the No. 1 ranked player in the Golfweek/AmateurGolf.com Women's Rankings, and fresh off its first-ever ACC title. Their momentum makes them a serious dark horse threat. Mirabel Ting is also one of the top players in the country for the Seminoles.

Division II Men's Golf

Championship Dates: May 19–23

Venue: PGA National Resort & Spa, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida

Regionals: May 8–10

Division II also features tight competition, with teams like Arkansas Tech, Harding, and Southern Arkansas eyeing deep runs. Each region sends just a handful of qualifiers, putting pressure on every round.

Key Storylines to Watch

Can Auburn repeat? Their deep, experienced lineup will be tested in match play again.
Stanford's quest for a dynasty: With top WAGR talent, they remain the team to beat.
Florida State’s rise: Their men’s and women’s teams could both be contenders after landmark conference wins.
Pro watch: Players like Ben James (Virginia) and Ganne (Stanford) could cap their amateur careers with national titles.

Key Dates to Remember

Division I Women's Regionals: May 5–7
Division II Men's Regionals: May 8–10
Division I Men's Regionals: May 12–14
Division I Women's Championship: May 16–21
Division II Men's Championship: May 19–23
Division I Men's Championship: May 23–28

Stay tuned to AmateurGolf.com for coverage, player rankings, and insights as the action unfolds across the country.

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