NATIONAL CHAMPIONS! Men’s Golf Wins the First NCAA Team Title in CMU Athletics History

The Carnegie Mellon University men's golf team made history on Friday afternoon, winning the first NCAA Division III Championship in university history. The Tartans turned in a remarkable final round (-9) to finish play at the 2023 NCAA Division III Championships in Nicholasville, Kentucky with a 72-hole score of one-under par 1,151 (292-285-295-279) to become national champions!

Inside the Championships: 
NCAA Finish: 1st of 43 Teams 
NCAA Team Champion: Carnegie Mellon ((1,151) -1) 
NCAA Individual Medalist: Josh Hebrink, Piedmont (-7) 
Location: Keene Trace Golf Club — Champion Trace | Nicholasville, Ky. 
Par/Yardage: 72/6,974

How it Happened:

• After recording an eagle on hole 18, junior Brian Xu(opens in new window) posted a collegiate-best round of seven-under par 65. The junior finished with a 72-hole score of one-under par 287 (74-74-74-65).
• Freshman David Zhang(opens in new window), who eagled hole six, carded a one-over par 73 on Friday and shot one-under par 287 (73-74-67-73) for the event.
• Xu and Zhang tied for ninth individually in a field of 221 golfers.
• Sophomore Justin Chan(opens in new window) shot a one-under par 71 over the final 18 holes and ended the championships at even par 288 (72-70-75-71) and placed tied for 14th. Chan started the round with an eagle on hole one.
• Graduate student Henry Scavone(opens in new window) ended his collegiate career with a round of two-under par 70 and finished with a one-over par 289 (73-67-79-70) and tied for 17th.
• Freshman Andrew Wang(opens in new window) ended the championship with a 310 (75-74-79-82).

Notes:

• This was the Tartans sixth NCAA Championship Tournament appearance and fourth straight.
• Last season, the Cardinal and Gray ended the championship event sixth and in 2021 the Tartans placed fourth, the highest finish in program history, prior to this season.
• Xu's round of seven-under par ties the school record for lowest round under par. Scavone earlier this season posted a round of seven-under in the final round of the Western Pennsylvania Intercollegiate at Allegheny Country Club.
• Xu's round of seven-under par on Friday was also the lowest round turned in by a golfer at the championships this year.
• Xu and Zhang now hold the school record for the best four-round score with a one-under par 287. Chan has the third lowest and Scavone the fourth.
• The Tartans final round score of nine-under 279 was the lowest round recorded at the championships this year.
• The team's score of nine-under 279 in the final round ties for the second lowest single-round team score in program history. In 2020, the team carded a round of 19-under par 269 at the Savannah Invitational held at The Club at Savannah Harbor Golf Course.

Thoughts from Carnegie Mellon Head Coach Dan Rodgers

• "Today's victory is a testament to the tenacity, hard work, and resilience of these young men. Their final round performance, finishing nine-under, shows not only their skill but their ability to rally under pressure. This championship isn't just our first; it's a landmark achievement that reflects the growth and potential of Carnegie Mellon's golf program. I couldn't be prouder of this team. I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the administration of Carnegie Mellon, our dedicated alumni, and all who have supported us along this journey. Your belief in us has truly made this milestone possible."

Thoughts from Carnegie Mellon Director of Athletics Josh Centor

• "I couldn't be more excited for Coach Rodgers and our amazing student-athletes. I am so proud of their accomplishment, but more importantly, the way they represent Carnegie Mellon University. We have been dreaming of this moment for a long time, and we cannot wait to celebrate the first national championship in our history!"