The University of Tulsa announced Monday that it will revive its men’s golf program after a nine-year break. The program, which was cancelled following the 2015-16 season, will begin playing in the fall of 2026.
Tulsa Athletic Director Justin Moore says a national search for head coaches is ongoing.
“We are delighted to be able to return the gaming and local University of Tulsa to the city and local University of Tulsa, where passion for games and the country’s best golf courses have been recognized,” Moore said in the release. “The generosity of our donors, including several alumni who first established the Tulsa men’s golf legacy, allowed us to regain our program and compete for the championship soon.”
According to the release, “Bob” Prince, a member of the men’s golf team when Tulsa alumni Sharon D. Prince and Robert P. Bob Prince were members of the men’s golf team when they were in Tulsa, giving the gift of transformational leadership. Additional support for the programme renewal was provided by the HA & Mary K. Chapman Foundation, Al Walker, Mark Marra and Don Quint Jr.
Tulsa has visited the 10 NCAA Championships in school history 10 times. On seven trips under former coach Bill Blogden, he led the Golden Hurricane for 30 years before the program was eliminated.
“Sharon and I are excited to help establish a male and female golf donation at TU,” Bob Prince said. “With the rich traditions of golf at TU and the support of the community, wouldn’t it be great for women and men to win an NCAA title in the same year?”
“The long team effort and the enormous generosity of certain graduate donors have made the University of Tulsa’s men’s golf program reestablished!” said Mara, a member of the University of Tulsa board of directors. “With the continued support of the Tulsa Golf community, this program will soon compete for the championship!”
This news can be surprising when many golf programs worry about their future, especially in the age of college athletics. Last month, Stephen F. Austin announced he would soon eliminate the golf program.
Tulsa women’s teams have had many successes in recent years, including trips to the 2023 and 2024 NCAA Championships.
And from the next fall, the Tulsa men’s program will return and become the 12th men’s team to compete in the American athletic conference.
