Bandon, Ore. – The University of Idaho men’s golf team begins play Sunday at the 17th Bandon Dunes Championship, hosted at the renowned Pacific Dunes course on the Oregon coast. The three-day tournament, which tees off at 8:30 a.m. Each day, features a competitive field and provides a key early-season test for the Vandals.
Pacific Dunes, consistently ranked among the nation’s elite public courses, is currently No. 2 in the U.S. As rated by Golf Digest. The championship will test players with its challenging layout and stunning coastal scenery. Idaho is looking to build momentum after experiencing travel disruptions last week, but enters the tournament with a strong foundation built on winning two tournaments in the fall season.
The Vandals will field a lineup led by Josh McCartain, who will play from the No. 1 position. Sam Johnson will compete from the No. 2 spot, followed by Henrik Koglin at No. 3. Dalton Dean will play at No. 4 and Charley Simpson will round out the team lineup at No. 5. Joe Syles will participate as an individual competitor.
Idaho will face a strong field including Oregon from the Big Ten Conference, Oregon State representing the West Coast Conference, Santa Clara, and Big Sky Conference rival Sacramento State. The tournament provides a valuable opportunity for the Vandals to compete against a diverse range of programs.
Tournament Details and Live Scoring
The Bandon Dunes Championship has been a staple of collegiate golf since 2010, and this year marks the seventh time the University of Idaho has hosted the event. Fans can follow the action live with a live leaderboard available online. Further tournament information can be found on the tournament central page.
Vandal Golf Program Continues Strong Tradition
The University of Idaho’s commitment to hosting the Bandon Dunes Championship underscores its dedication to providing a high-level competitive experience for its student-athletes. The tournament not only showcases the talent of the Vandal golf program but also highlights the beauty and challenge of Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, consistently ranked as the world’s highest-rated golf resort. The resort itself features multiple courses, including the Bandon Trails course, which hosted the 16th championship in 2025, as reported by Chat Sports.
Head coach David Nuhn has built a competitive program, and the 2025-26 schedule, as outlined on fogolf.com, includes a mix of challenging tournaments and regional rivalries, including the annual Battle for Idaho against Boise State.
The Vandals will look to leverage their fall success and the experience gained at Bandon Dunes as they continue their season. The team’s performance this week will be a key indicator of their potential as they progress through the spring schedule and towards the Big Sky Championship, which will be held at Wigwam Golf Club in February 2026.
What’s next for the Vandals after the Bandon Dunes Championship? The team will travel to the Watney Invitational at San Joaquin Country Club in Fresno, California, on March 2-3 before returning to Oregon for the Oregon Duck Invitational on March 23-24.
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