TUCSON, Ariz. – The UC Santa Barbara Men's Golf team opened up their 2025 season at the National Invitational Tournament, hosted by the University of Arizona. In the field were three top 50 teams. Freshmen Dylan Ma and Zekun Fang both earned top 60 showings in the field.
 
FROM HEAD COACH CHRIS MASSOLETTI
"We did so many things well this week," said Massoletti. "We had 48 birdies and 2 eagles as a team but still finished over par for the event. There's too much bad that's coming with the good, but unfortunately, you get that with a young team. We learned a lot in this event and will carry that into the next one."
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Gauchos competed against a loaded field including three top-50 ranked teams No. 11 Arizona, No. 36 BYU and No. 43 USC. Along with that, there were four top 125 players in the country. After round one it was Ryan Gay leading the charge for UC Santa Barbara. The senior recorded a one-under, 71 recording six birdies and an eagle. Dylan Ma was closely behind shooting a one-over 73 in the opening round.
 
As the Gauchos moved to round two, it was more of the same from Gay and Ma as they shot a 72 and 73, respectively, keeping them in the middle of the field. Unfortunately, the second round was cut short due to darkness forcing the Gauchos to pick up where they left off the next day.
 
On the second and final day of the N.I.T. Freshmen Zekun Fang recorded a two-under, 70 along with Dylan Ma. The two freshmen jumped up eight places and six spots respectively closing out the tournament on a high note. After the dust settled the Gauchos recorded the sixth most eagles in the tournament and made 48 birdies.
 
UP NEXT
The Gauchos will now focus on the Orange County Invitational that begins next Monday, Feb. 10 and continues into Tuesday, Feb. 11. The tournament is co-hosted by UC Irvine and Cal State Fullerton and will be played in Coto DeCaza, California.