No. 18 Vanderbilt Men’s Golf concluded its season with an 18-over 1,170 at the NCAA Division I National Championship, held at the par-72 Omni La Costa Resort and Spa in Carlsbad, California. The Commodores were unable to crack the top eight and qualify for match play — missing the bracket for just the second time since 2019.
After one of its best performances of the year at the Amherst Regional, Vanderbilt looked to carry its momentum into nationals in pursuit of a national title. The championship marked the final collegiate appearance for senior Jackson Van Paris, currently ranked No. 8 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking. Fellow senior and 2022 NCAA Individual Champion Gordon Sargent opted out of the postseason to prepare for his PGA TOUR debut at the RBC Canadian Open, taking place June 5-8.
Vanderbilt’s starting lineup remained unchanged from Amherst, featuring Wells Williams, Ryan Downes, John Broderick and Chase Nevins, with Ben Loomis once again serving as the team’s alternate.
The Commodores showed early nerves on Day 1, posting a 6-over 294 in the opening round. Van Paris — the only player with prior NCAA Championship experience — led the team with a 4-under 68 to sit tied for fourth individually after 18 holes. However, even he stumbled late, closing his round with two consecutive bogeys. Downes contributed a solid 73 to keep Vanderbilt tied for 19th place as a team.
“It’s the national championship, so there’s going to be some excitement,” head coach Scott Limbaugh said. “I think we came out with a little bit of nervous energy. Some of the guys had a slow start, but I thought the way we responded and how well [Van Paris] played was huge for our team.”
Both Williams and Van Paris were named to the NCAA Division I PING All-Southeast Region on Day 2, a morale boost as the team battled through tough 17 mph winds to card another 6-over 294. That effort moved the Commodores up four spots, putting them in a tie for 15th and on the cutline. Nevins fired one of his best rounds of the year with a 70, while Williams added a 1-under 71.
“I’m super proud of [Nevins],” Limbaugh said. “That was a big round for our team today. [Williams] gave us a great round as well. We had everyone in it for a long time.”
A 3-over 291 on Day 3 was enough to move Vanderbilt three strokes clear of the cut line and extend its season. Van Paris shot a 1-under 71, while Downes led the way with a 70.
“I’ve got to give credit to the team for bouncing back, because they were down about yesterday’s finish,” Limbaugh said. “They got their minds right and were opportunistic today. I’m super proud of them. We took it one step at a time and did it together. That shows a lot of resilience.”
Entering the final round of stroke play at 15-over, the Commodores needed to make up a two-stroke deficit to reach the top eight and advance to match play. Despite their efforts, every Vanderbilt player shot over par on Memorial Day, and the team finished with another 3-over 291. Williams led the way with a 5-under 67, the low round of the day in the tournament. He tied for 32nd individually at 3-over for the week, matching Downes. Van Paris closed his college career with a disappointing 76, finishing tied for 44th. Michael La Sasso of Ole Miss won the 2025 NCAA Individual Championship at 11-under overall for the four days.
“We had a chance to advance, and I’m proud of that. [Williams] had an outstanding close to his season by going 5-under and posting the low round of the day,” Limbaugh said. “Our guys fought all week. We’re not advancing this year, but what these student-athletes gave to each other and Vanderbilt golf in this NCAA run was pretty special.”
Following the tournament, the 2024-25 PGA TOUR University leaderboard was finished and Van Paris ended the year in fifth place, earning exemption to the Korn Ferry Tour for the remainder of the 2025 season. He can make his professional debut as soon as the BMW Charity Pro-Am from June 5-8.
.@KornFerryTour Bound!!!
Congrats to @JacksonVanParis on earning his KFT Card for the remainder of the 2025 season through @PGATOURU
⚓️⬇️#AnchorDown pic.twitter.com/OuloV6IRmG
— Vanderbilt Men’s Golf (@VandyMGolf) May 27, 2025
With Van Paris and Sargent departing, Williams returns as a cornerstone. He will represent the U.S. in the prestigious Arnold Palmer Cup this summer. Vanderbilt also welcomes the nation’s No. 1 recruiting class, headlined by No. 2 overall recruit Michael Riebe, who is expected to contend for playing time immediately. Joining him is No. 6-ranked Will Hartman, fresh off a win at the U.S. Amateur Four-Ball Championship — proof of his ability to win on big stages.
With a deep and talented roster, the Commodores will once again be in the national conversation next season and may be poised to one-up their 2024-25 campaign.
