In the blink of an eye, college golf is back.
Three months ago, trophies were handed out to the Stanford women and Auburnmen at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa, bringing an end to a stellar 2025-26 season. But after a great summer of amateur golf (with a couple more big events to go in 2026), college golf's time to shine has returned.
There are plenty of storylines to look forward to this season, but Golfweek is taking a look into a crystal ball to make some predictions for the season, including what may happen eight months from now at Omni La Costa.
Over the last week, Golfweek has announced its preseason men's and women's rankings, men's and women's All-Americans, men's and women's freshmen to watch and more. Now, it's time to predict what will happen
come the end of the season.
Here are some predictions for the 2026-27 college golf season:
Who will win the 2027 Haskins Award?
Going to take Alabama junior William Jennings here. Just two years ago, he was being pulled from the lineup after shooting in the 90s of a tournament. Then last year, he won three times and finished runner-up at NCAAs. Feels like that was just the start of what Jennings can achieve.
Who will win the 2027 Annika Award?
I believe Farah O'Keefe of Texas is going to go back-to-back and win the Annika Award again. She has been on a tear the last year in college and amateur golf, and I don't expect that to change in her final year in Austin. Expect big things from O'Keefe and the Longhorns this season.
Who will win the men's national championship?
Going to go with Arizona State. Something about this roster Matt Thurmond has put together really stands out. Seniors Connor Williams and Fifa Laopakdee will lead the way, and then a trio of underclassmen in sophomores Boston Bracken and Nguyen Anh Minh, along with freshman Oscar Couilleau, seem primed to get ASU back in the national championship conversation. I expect a big season from the Sun Devils.
Who will win the women's national championship?
I'm going to go with USC. It's really, really hard to pick against Stanford, considering the Cardinal have won three of the past five titles and won stroke play at NCAAs six straight years. However, USC has a deep lineup itself with Jasmine Koo, Bailey Shoemaker, Elise Lee and Kylie Chong leading the way. Watch out for the Trojans as the season progresses.
Who will be the best men's freshman?
Tyler Watts. How rare is it that someone comes into college ranked in the top five in the world? Watts is ranked third, is coming off a summer where he won the Northeast Amateur and made the quarters at the U.S. Amateur and is on the U.S. Walker Cup team. He could be in for a special season at Tennessee.
Who will be the best women's freshman?
Mia Hammond at Duke has been one of the best juniors in the country and already has a professional win on her resume. She won an Epson Tour event last summer and now joins a Duke roster that had arguably the nation's best freshman last year in Rianne Malixi. Hammond can come in and have the same impact.
Which teams that didn't make match play in 2026 have best chance of making it in 2027?
For the men, going with Tennessee. The Volunteers added Rudy Sautron via the transfer portal and have incoming freshman Tyler Watts and Pennson Badgett in the fold. In addition to Jackson Herrington, Josh Hill, Christian Pardue and Chase Kyes, the Volunteers have depth to compete not only in the SEC but at nationals, too.
For the women, its Texas A&M. It was a disappointing showing for the Aggies at nationals last year, missing the 54-hole cut by multiple shots. This year, Texas A&M has some of the best depth in the country. It would be shocking if they weren't one of the top eight teams by the end of stroke play at Omni La Costa.
Who will be the Men's Coach of the Year?
Brennan Webb at Tennessee. With a win in the season-opening event, Tennessee proved it's a legit team this season, and it was without its best player, freshman Tyler Watts. The Volunteers are going to be contenders in the SEC and nationally. This is a team that has all of the pieces capable of making a run at Omni La Costa. Now it's about finding the continuity to do just that come the spring.
Who will be the Women's Coach of the Year?
Janice Olivencia at Miami. The Hurricanes have a chance to have a spectacular season. With transfer Scarlett Schremmer leading the way (and a win already under the team's belt), Olivencia has revamped the Miami roster in 2026-27 with a bunch of names who can help contribute behind Schremmer. Don't be surprised if Miami could make a run come the spring.
Most impactful transfers
Going with Nguyen Anh Minh at Arizona State for the men. He had an incredible freshman season at Oregon State and will be a big contributor for the Sun Devils this season. He could be the difference in getting Arizona State over the hump at nationals.
For the women, it's Scarlett Schremmer at Miami. The former top-ranked recruit played only two events for Texas A&M last year before transferring to Coral Gables. Now, she's eligible to compete again, will be Miami's best player and is coming off an incredible summer.
Cameron Jourdan is an assistant editor of Golfweek, covering college and amateur golf, the PGA Tour and plenty more. Follow Cameron on X/Twitter (@Cam_Jourdan) or Instagram (@GolfweekJourdan).
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Predictions for the 2026-27 college golf season, including champions and Players of the Year
