KINGSTON, R.I. - Rhode Island men's golf is heading to some new places, including a trip across the border to Mexico to cap off the Fall portion of its schedule.

The Rams will play in five tournaments over a packed seven-week span from Sept. 12 through Oct. 27. Looking to build off the program's strongest season in nearly a decade, head coach Gregg Burke has built a schedule aimed at testing his squad.

In 2025-26, Rhode Island won four of its six Fall events. The success helped the Rams work toward a fourth-place finish at the 2026 Atlantic 10 Championship, Rhody's best finish in nine seasons. However, for a variety of reasons, URI will not be defending any of its four team titles from a season ago.

'The most notable aspect of this year's schedule is pretty obvious. Although we won four tournaments last Fall, we will not be returning to any of them," Burke said. "Sacred Heart changed the dates of its tournament, and LIU changed coaches. Winning the Ryan T. Lee last year actually hurt our NCAA ranking, and we are going to Mexico instead of Iona's wonderful tournament at Wykagyl. Clearly the replacement events are a strong upgrade to the first semester schedule of a year ago and takes us to places we've never been."

The season begins at The Doc Gimmler on Sept. 12. The two-day tournament is hosted by St. John's at Bethpage State Park, and Rhode Island will be playing there for the first time since the 2019-20 season. That year, Rhody placed fourth out of 14 teams behind the play of then freshman Bryson Richards, who earned co-medalist honors in just his second career tournament. Current assistant coach Brandon Gillis was a junior on that squad.

"Going back to the Gimmler is a treat for us," Burke said. "We love Bethpage and have a great deal of respect for coach Phil Wildermuth." 

Next will be two tournaments in eight days, as Rhode Island travels to the Davidson-hosted River Run Collegiate (Sept. 21-22) and the UConn Invitational at GreatHorse. The 13-team field for River Run includes Atlantic 10 opponents Davidson and Dayton.

"Playing at River Run has been a goal of ours for a number of years," Burke said. "Tim Straub is one of the coaches I most respect in the country, and the tournament field speaks for itself." 

A staple on Rhode Island's schedule for year, the UConn Invitational at GreatHorse has been a welcome tournament for the Rams. This will be the sixth straight year URI plays in the event. Rhody has four top-three finished at GreatHorse in the last five years, including team titles in 2024 and 2021.

"Going back to Great Horse where we've had a lot of success is always a treat," Burke said. "Coach Dave Pezzino and head pro Billy Downes oversee the most well-run tournament we play in every year."

After a week off, Rhode Island returns to the Moraine Intercollegiate in Kettering, Ohio Oct 12-13. In a field that consisted of eight Power Four conference schools a year ago, URI placed fourth out of 14 teams.

"Going back to Moraine will be very different for us," Burke said.  "It is a very, very good golf course and we will need virtually every player play at their very best to finish in the top half of the field."

The Fall slate closes with a trip to the Monterrey Collegiate Classic in Mexico (Oct. 26-27). Hosted by fellow Atlantic 10 school George Washington, the tournament will be played at the Club Campestre Monterrey in San Pedro Garza García, Nuevo León, Mexico.

"Playing in Mexico will be a treat," Burke said. "It is a unique tournament in format and location. We ae very excited about finishing the Fall season in Mexico.

"'That said, we have lost a great deal of firepower with the loss of Aidan O'Donovan, Tyler Bruneau and Luke Stennett. But we have five events, and players who have not been in the lineup in the past will now have the opportunity to play."

Among the returners are fourth-year players Josiah Tong and Tony Liu. Tong played in all 13 events last season, while Tong made 12 starts. Both have been lineup regulars for several seasons. Incoming freshman Jack Quinn was one of the most sought-after recruits in New England.

Fourth-year players Seb Carlsson, Owen Rooney and Bennett Masterson as well as incoming freshman Mihir Roperia all figure to see time as well.

"Josiah Tong and Jack Quinn have had terrific summers in tournament play," Burke said. "Jack comes in as the hottest player on the roster and will battle for the top spot from Day One.

"If Tony fulfils the promise he showed as a freshman, then he will be a regular as well. After that it will be a weekly dogfight with the other four. Seb Carlsson is greatly improved and has had some terrific tournaments this summer. Mihir Roperia had a great junior career and showed flashes of that this summer. 

"I think Owen Rooney has finally realized how good he can be and the only impediment to him being a regular in the lineup is his own confidence. Bennett Masterson is as talented as anyone we have, but he has struggled this summer. I believe in him, and he'll contribute for sure."