Friday, May 1
North Plains, Ore.
Rutgers University
at
Big Ten Championships
Men’s Golf Takes Momentum into 2026 Big Ten Championships in Oregon
Apr 27 | Men's Golf
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - Rutgers men's golf is set to compete at the 2026 Big Ten Men's Golf Championships, held May 1-3 at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club in North Plains, Oregon. The three-day championship brings together one of the nation's premier conferences as the Scarlet Knights look to close the spring season on one of the biggest stages of the year.
The event will be contested at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club, which is hosting the conference championship for the first time. The North Plains venue is recognized as one of the top championship golf courses in the country and will provide a challenging test for the 18-team field.
Rutgers enters the postseason after a historic spring campaign that featured multiple competitive finishes against nationally respected fields. The Scarlet Knights have been led throughout the year by depth across the roster. Rutgers will look for that steady play as it faces a deep conference field loaded with nationally ranked programs.
Head coach Rob Shutte said the team is embracing the opportunity to compete on a new course and in a different environment.
"Any time you go to a new environment, especially at a championship, there's excitement," Shutte said. "The Big Ten footprint is so large, and you get to play some of the best courses in the country. This is another great opportunity for our guys."
Rutgers graduate transfer Luke Koenig will compete in his first Big Ten Championship after joining the Scarlet Knights this summer and said the team has had its sights set on the event all season.
"We're all pumped. It's something we've been looking forward to since the beginning of the year," Koenig said. "Big Ten Championships speaks for itself, and to have it out in Oregon at a prestigious venue like Pumpkin Ridge makes it even more exciting."
Koenig added that Rutgers believes it can compete with anyone in the field.
"The Big Ten is one of the best conferences in the country with a lot of really strong teams," Koenig said. "We feel like we're right there in the mix to contend for a title. When you have that many great programs in one event, there's a lot to play for."
Freshman Lucas Politano will also make his Big Ten Championship debut and said the Scarlet Knights are eager for the opportunity ahead.
"We've got a great opportunity to do something special," Politano said. "We have a great group of guys and the right group to do it. I'm super excited to experience my first Big Ten Championship and hopefully it's everything I expect it to be."
Politano said Rutgers understands the challenge that awaits at Pumpkin Ridge.
"It's going to take a lot of really good golf and three strong rounds to give ourselves a shot," Politano said. "But we know what it takes. We've played a lot of difficult setups this year, we've done well, and I expect us to be ready to go."
The freshman also looks forward to competing on the West Coast for the first time.
"Growing up on the East Coast, I've never been out there, so it'll be a cool experience," Politano said. "It'll be fun to see new conditions and a different style of golf course. It should be a great test, and I'm excited for it."
Junior Derek Gutierrez brings valuable experience into his third Big Ten Championship appearance and said that perspective can help the younger players in the lineup.
"It's important to take it all in because it's a great experience," Gutierrez said. "But it's also important for the younger guys not to let all of that distract them from how good they really are. You see the signage and the atmosphere, but at the end of the day, we're still just playing golf like we do every single day."
Gutierrez said one of the most rewarding parts of the season has been watching Rutgers' younger players continue to grow and deliver big performances.
"It's been really fun to watch," Gutierrez said. "Each guy has a lot of love for one another and we enjoy being around each other. It's nice to see your family do well and compete at a high level."
As Rutgers heads west, Gutierrez believes the Scarlet Knights have positioned themselves to contend if they stay focused on preparation.
"It's easy to get caught up in winning and losing," Gutierrez said. "We expect to get there, be prepared, do the right things on the golf course and expect to play well because we know we can. We believe we have a good shot to win it."
Reflecting on the season, Gutierrez said the team has enjoyed both success and growth throughout the year.
"I think we played pretty well this season," Gutierrez said. "We had a few stumbles in the spring, but it's been a lot of fun seeing all the guys play well and finish strong in some really good tournaments. It's been a successful and fun year."
Sophomores Bennett Espenshade and Argyle Downes have provided consistency as well. When Downes was named Big Ten Golfer of the Week this spring his recognition added to a historic season for
Rutgers men's golf. He became the fourth Scarlet Knight to earn Big Ten Golfer of the Week honors this year, joining Koenig, Politano, and Jeffrey Zatorski, who were each recognized earlier in the season. It marked the first time in program history that four different Scarlet Knights have earned the conference's weekly honor in the same season, highlighting the depth, balance, and consistency Rutgers has displayed throughout the year.
"We've had great individual performances up and down the roster this season," Espenshade said. "It's great to know heading into this big event that any one of us can light it up and help our squad win."
Shutte believes that balance gives Rutgers confidence heading into postseason play.
"It's a great feeling knowing that whoever tees it up first or last for us on a given day can be our low man," Shutte said. "We've had consistency throughout the lineup, but we also have guys capable of going low and posting big numbers for us."
Koenig echoed that sentiment and said the internal competition has helped elevate the roster throughout the season.
"It's been fun and competitive all year long," Koenig said. "We've got a lot of guys who can go out at any time, shoot in the 60s and be the best player that day. Whoever is in the lineup, we're confident they can contribute."
Rutgers also benefits from having experienced players in the lineup who understand the demands of championship golf.
"We have a group that shouldn't be overwhelmed by the moment," Shutte said. "We've put our guys in competitive spots all season long, and hopefully that allows us to hit the ground running and just go play golf."
Koenig added that his first season in Piscataway has exceeded expectations.
"Everything about this year has been really neat," Koenig said. "I'm grateful that I transferred here and I've loved every moment of it."
The Scarlet Knights practiced as a team, competing against each other in the intersquad U.S. Open Team event at Bayonne Country Club and Koenig took home the trophy on Monday.
For the second consecutive season, live coverage of the final round will air on Big Ten Network, allowing fans to follow the championship action from Oregon. Live scoring throughout the tournament will also be available online.
The Scarlet Knights will compete against Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Nebraska, Northwestern, Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State, Purdue, UCLA, USC, Washington and Wisconsin.
Rutgers will aim to build momentum throughout the weekend and make a statement against one of the toughest conference championship fields in college golf.
The event will be contested at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club, which is hosting the conference championship for the first time. The North Plains venue is recognized as one of the top championship golf courses in the country and will provide a challenging test for the 18-team field.
Rutgers enters the postseason after a historic spring campaign that featured multiple competitive finishes against nationally respected fields. The Scarlet Knights have been led throughout the year by depth across the roster. Rutgers will look for that steady play as it faces a deep conference field loaded with nationally ranked programs.
Head coach Rob Shutte said the team is embracing the opportunity to compete on a new course and in a different environment.
"Any time you go to a new environment, especially at a championship, there's excitement," Shutte said. "The Big Ten footprint is so large, and you get to play some of the best courses in the country. This is another great opportunity for our guys."
Rutgers graduate transfer Luke Koenig will compete in his first Big Ten Championship after joining the Scarlet Knights this summer and said the team has had its sights set on the event all season.
"We're all pumped. It's something we've been looking forward to since the beginning of the year," Koenig said. "Big Ten Championships speaks for itself, and to have it out in Oregon at a prestigious venue like Pumpkin Ridge makes it even more exciting."
Koenig added that Rutgers believes it can compete with anyone in the field.
"The Big Ten is one of the best conferences in the country with a lot of really strong teams," Koenig said. "We feel like we're right there in the mix to contend for a title. When you have that many great programs in one event, there's a lot to play for."
Freshman Lucas Politano will also make his Big Ten Championship debut and said the Scarlet Knights are eager for the opportunity ahead.
"We've got a great opportunity to do something special," Politano said. "We have a great group of guys and the right group to do it. I'm super excited to experience my first Big Ten Championship and hopefully it's everything I expect it to be."
Politano said Rutgers understands the challenge that awaits at Pumpkin Ridge.
"It's going to take a lot of really good golf and three strong rounds to give ourselves a shot," Politano said. "But we know what it takes. We've played a lot of difficult setups this year, we've done well, and I expect us to be ready to go."
The freshman also looks forward to competing on the West Coast for the first time.
"Growing up on the East Coast, I've never been out there, so it'll be a cool experience," Politano said. "It'll be fun to see new conditions and a different style of golf course. It should be a great test, and I'm excited for it."
Junior Derek Gutierrez brings valuable experience into his third Big Ten Championship appearance and said that perspective can help the younger players in the lineup.
"It's important to take it all in because it's a great experience," Gutierrez said. "But it's also important for the younger guys not to let all of that distract them from how good they really are. You see the signage and the atmosphere, but at the end of the day, we're still just playing golf like we do every single day."
Gutierrez said one of the most rewarding parts of the season has been watching Rutgers' younger players continue to grow and deliver big performances.
"It's been really fun to watch," Gutierrez said. "Each guy has a lot of love for one another and we enjoy being around each other. It's nice to see your family do well and compete at a high level."
As Rutgers heads west, Gutierrez believes the Scarlet Knights have positioned themselves to contend if they stay focused on preparation.
"It's easy to get caught up in winning and losing," Gutierrez said. "We expect to get there, be prepared, do the right things on the golf course and expect to play well because we know we can. We believe we have a good shot to win it."
Reflecting on the season, Gutierrez said the team has enjoyed both success and growth throughout the year.
"I think we played pretty well this season," Gutierrez said. "We had a few stumbles in the spring, but it's been a lot of fun seeing all the guys play well and finish strong in some really good tournaments. It's been a successful and fun year."
Sophomores Bennett Espenshade and Argyle Downes have provided consistency as well. When Downes was named Big Ten Golfer of the Week this spring his recognition added to a historic season for
Rutgers men's golf. He became the fourth Scarlet Knight to earn Big Ten Golfer of the Week honors this year, joining Koenig, Politano, and Jeffrey Zatorski, who were each recognized earlier in the season. It marked the first time in program history that four different Scarlet Knights have earned the conference's weekly honor in the same season, highlighting the depth, balance, and consistency Rutgers has displayed throughout the year.
"We've had great individual performances up and down the roster this season," Espenshade said. "It's great to know heading into this big event that any one of us can light it up and help our squad win."
Shutte believes that balance gives Rutgers confidence heading into postseason play.
"It's a great feeling knowing that whoever tees it up first or last for us on a given day can be our low man," Shutte said. "We've had consistency throughout the lineup, but we also have guys capable of going low and posting big numbers for us."
Koenig echoed that sentiment and said the internal competition has helped elevate the roster throughout the season.
"It's been fun and competitive all year long," Koenig said. "We've got a lot of guys who can go out at any time, shoot in the 60s and be the best player that day. Whoever is in the lineup, we're confident they can contribute."
Rutgers also benefits from having experienced players in the lineup who understand the demands of championship golf.
"We have a group that shouldn't be overwhelmed by the moment," Shutte said. "We've put our guys in competitive spots all season long, and hopefully that allows us to hit the ground running and just go play golf."
Koenig added that his first season in Piscataway has exceeded expectations.
"Everything about this year has been really neat," Koenig said. "I'm grateful that I transferred here and I've loved every moment of it."
The Scarlet Knights practiced as a team, competing against each other in the intersquad U.S. Open Team event at Bayonne Country Club and Koenig took home the trophy on Monday.
Play begins Friday, May 1, with opening-round tee times starting at 9:30 a.m. Pacific Time. The second round will be contested Saturday, May 2, with the final round set for Sunday, May 3. Following the conclusion of play on Sunday, an awards ceremony will be held on the 18th green.
For the second consecutive season, live coverage of the final round will air on Big Ten Network, allowing fans to follow the championship action from Oregon. Live scoring throughout the tournament will also be available online.
The Scarlet Knights will compete against Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Nebraska, Northwestern, Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State, Purdue, UCLA, USC, Washington and Wisconsin.
Rutgers will aim to build momentum throughout the weekend and make a statement against one of the toughest conference championship fields in college golf.
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