2025 NCAA Golf Championships: Regional previews, key storylines, and top contenders
02 May 2025
by AmateurGolf.com Staff
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Photo courtesy of NCAA
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.
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.
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 pro prospect Megha Ganne leading the charge. Florida State is a program on the rise, led by freshman Alexandra Gazzoli and fresh off its first-ever ACC title. Their momentum makes them a serious dark horse threat.
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.