A Year of Rebuilding
The UCLA men’s golf team had a remarkable season, nearly clinching victory in every challenge they faced.
Despite holding a losing record at mid-spring, the team found themselves at the Omni La Costa Resort & Spa in Carlsbad, on Wednesday, with a hopeful chance to win the national championship trophy.
Before achieving two upsets in match play during the NCAA Championships, they had to rely on stroke play to navigate a four-team playoff, finishing with a run that was truly unforgettable.
As the seventh-seeded team, the Bruins faced off against top-seeded Auburn, ultimately winning their first three matches and securing their second national title in three years.
Coach Armen Kirakosyan placed trust in his players, despite the pressure of starting in unfamiliar territory. While UCLA had previously celebrated national championships in 1988 and 2008, they hadn’t made it to the championship round since the match play format was adopted in 2009.
“We came into the game nervous and conceded some holes early on,” Kirakosyan noted. “You can’t afford to do that against a team like Auburn.”
In a promising matchup between top freshmen, Auburn’s Jake Albert took the lead, defeating UCLA’s Tyler Lowry with a 5-and-3 score.
The top-ranked amateur, Jackson Koivin, sealed the second match against UCLA’s Baylor Larrabee with a birdie putt on the 15th hole, winning 4-and-3.
Baylor Larrabee reflected on the experience, saying, “He showed me the level I need to reach for a PGA scorecard at 21. There’s work to be done in the offseason, but I’m excited for it.”
Meanwhile, UCLA’s Alex Papayoannou found himself tied against Auburn’s Logan Riley on the 18th hole. However, a mistake on his tee shot allowed Riley to two-putt for par, clinching victory for the Tigers.
In another turn of events, UCLA freshman Josh Kim held a solid 14-hole lead over Auburn’s Josiah Gilbert, who was 3-up.
This match was bittersweet for the Bruins, who had faced a tough ending in stroke play last week, resulting in the need for a playoff. After advancing through the playoffs, they beat No. 6 seed Arizona and No. 2 seed Texas on Tuesday.
“I think dropping that stroke and making it into the playoffs got our guys on edge, putting them into a competitive mindset for the game. I felt like the celebration brought in a lot of energy,” Kirakosyan reflected.
For a team that had struggled during stroke play last season, this represented significant progress. Following the departure of senior stars Pablo Eleno and Omar Morales, many anticipated a decline; yet UCLA bounced back, capturing the Big Ten Championship last month and progressing towards nearly winning it all.
With Larrabee as a sophomore and Kim and Rory as freshmen, there’s potential for the Bruins to mount a strong final push in the upcoming season.
“This team comprises brave individuals with big hearts, always eager to compete—all-in at every opportunity,” Kirakosyan stated as he wrapped up his fourth season. “I never take these moments for granted. It’s an upward trajectory, and I aim to keep pushing forward next year.”
