NC State Men’s Golf Falls Short at ACC Championships, Finishes 11th in Stroke Play
The NC State men’s golf team came up short at the highly competitive ACC Championships, finishing in 11th place and missing the crucial cut for match-play. The event unfolded at Shark’s Tooth Golf Club in Panama City Beach, Florida, where the Wolfpack competed against several top-ranked programs, including five teams in the top 25 nationally.
The Wolfpack started the tournament strong, sitting in sixth place at one-over-par after the first round. However, the team gradually slipped down the leaderboard across the subsequent rounds, ultimately placing outside the top eight necessary for advancement to match play.
Standout Performers Amid Disappointment
Senior Evan Woosley-Reed was the lone bright spot for NC State in the closing round, carding a four-under-par 68 on the final day. His strong finish propelled him into a tie for 22nd place with a two-over-par total. Woosley-Reed’s steady play contrasted with inconsistent performances from his teammates.
Tied with Woosley-Reed in 22nd was redshirt-senior Markus Varjun, who electrified the crowd with an eagle on hole 13 during the first round. After a rocky start to the season, the Estonian transfer found rhythm and consistency, stabilizing his position for the team.
In contrast, sophomore Xander Goboy struggled in the later rounds. Despite a promising start with six birdies and two-under-par in the opening round, Goboy’s second and third rounds fell apart, resulting in a disappointing 62nd-place finish — his worst since October.
Redshirt sophomore Rylan Shim also fought uphill, ending up 41st at six-over-par after five bogeys and one double bogey in the final round. Sophomore Pearce Lewin, a recent transfer from Tennessee, performed slightly better, finishing 33rd at one-over-par.
What This Means for the Wolfpack
While NC State showed flashes of high-level play, the overall team performance at the ACC Championships signals a challenging road ahead. With a strong ACC field boasting multiple nationally ranked squads, finishing 11th highlights the gap the Pack must close to compete for top honors.
The team now turns its attention to the 2026 NCAA Championship regional fields, which will be revealed during the NCAA Selection Show at 2 p.m. ET on May 6, airing live on the Golf Channel. Fans and analysts across Ohio and the United States will be watching closely to see where NC State will compete next and whether the Pack can regroup for a strong postseason push.
As one of the reliable contenders in collegiate golf, NC State’s effort at the ACC Championships offers both warning signs and hope. Veterans like Woosley-Reed and Varjun demonstrated the potential to challenge elite opponents, but the team must improve overall depth to advance further in national tournaments.
Stay tuned to The Ohio Observer for live updates on the NCAA selection results and continued coverage of NC State men’s golf as the postseason unfolds.
