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Men's Golf 5/20/2026 6:29:00 PM Garrett Murray / Assistant Director of Athletic Communications

NCAA Regional Comes To A Close For Iona Men's Golf

MARANA, AZ – The Iona University men's golf team put the finishing touches on a historic, groundbreaking season on Wednesday, wrapping up play at the NCAA Marana Regional. Competing against one of the nation's most elite postseason fields at the challenging layout of The Gallery Golf Club, the Gaels finished in 13th place with a three-round total of 882 (+18).

Entering the tournament as the No. 14 seed, the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Champions proved they belonged on the national stage, highlighted by a historic second round and several standout individual performances throughout the week.

The Gaels shook off a difficult opening-round 302 (+14) on Monday by delivering a remarkable turnaround on Tuesday that will go down as one of the best rounds in program history. Iona collectively caught fire in the second round, carding a spectacular 5-under par 283. The performance marked the lowest single-round team score in an NCAA Regional in program history and vaulted the Maroon & Gold up the leaderboard heading into the final day.

On Wednesday, the Gaels battled through the demanding conditions and elite competition, posting a final-round 297 (+9) to close the tournament at 18-over par. Iona finished ahead of North Dakota State (+23) and further cemented its place on the national stage. No. 18 Arizona captured the regional title on its home course at 49-under par, while Oklahoma State (-35) and LSU (-30) also secured top-three finishes.

Freshman Jennings Oelke led the way for the Maroon & Gold with a poised and consistent performance across all three rounds. Oelke opened the tournament with back-to-back rounds of 1-under 71 before closing with a 73 on Wednesday. He finished the regional at 1-under par with a 54-hole total of 215, earning a tie for 31st place overall.

Sean Richards continued his strong postseason form by steadily climbing the leaderboard each day. After an opening-round 77, Richards responded with a 2-under 70 on Tuesday before firing a brilliant 3-under 69 in the final round. He capped the week at even par with a total score of 216, tying for 35th overall. Richards finished Wednesday's round in dramatic fashion, birdieing each of his final three holes.

Connor Henderson finished tied for 61st at 10-over par after posting rounds of 74, 73, and 78 for a three-round total of 226. Ryan Slevcove also tied for 61st place at 10-over par with a matching total of 226. Slevcove opened with a 79 before contributing a critical 2-under 70 in round two and closing the tournament with a 77 on Wednesday.

Freddie Tucker provided a huge spark after entering the lineup during the second round. Tucker delivered a stellar even par 72 on Tuesday and followed with a 79 in the final round, finishing his two rounds at 7-over par with a total of 151. Sahir Balyan played the first round of the regional, finishing 11-over par.

While the Gaels' postseason journey came to an end in Arizona, the 2025-26 campaign will be remembered as the greatest season in program history.

From capturing the program's eighth MAAC Championship to competing toe-to-toe with some of the nation's top teams at the NCAA Regional, Iona shattered expectations and established a new standard for the future of the Maroon & Gold.

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Players Mentioned

Sahir Balyan: 6' 0"; Junior

Connor Henderson: 5' 9"; Senior

Sean Richards: 6' 0"; Junior

Ryan Slevcove: 5' 11"; Sophomore

Freddie Tucker: 6' 0"; Sophomore

Jennings Oelke: 5' 9"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

Sahir Balyan
: 6' 0"; Junior

Connor Henderson
: 5' 9"; Senior

Sean Richards
: 6' 0"; Junior

Ryan Slevcove
: 5' 11"; Sophomore

Freddie Tucker
: 6' 0"; Sophomore

Jennings Oelke
: 5' 9"; Freshman