SILVIS, IL— After finishing just one stroke shy of a national championship in 2024, the Texas Wesleyan golf team returns to the NAIA Men's Golf National Championship this week with its sights set squarely on redemption.
The Rams, who placed second to Dalton State in a dramatic finish last spring, have assembled another strong campaign during the 2024–25 season. Texas Wesleyan enters the national tournament, set for May 20–23 at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Illinois, ranked No. 6 in the NAIA Coaches' Poll. The team has notched five tournament victories and 12 top-three finishes this season.
A highlight of the year came in February, when senior Bryan deJonge earned medalist honors at the Claud Jacobs Invitational in Victoria, Texas. deJonge prevailed in a playoff to secure the title, displaying the poise the Rams will rely on in this week's championship.
Junior Jose Manuel Sanchez, the 2025 Sooner Athletic Conference individual champion, has also been a key figure in the Rams' success. His consistent play and strong finishes this spring have helped anchor the lineup during pivotal stretches of the season.
Freshman Brady Meek, recently named Sooner Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year, has been a reliable contributor throughout the spring. Sophomore Jesper Brinchmann-Hansen has also delivered key rounds, while sophomore Colin Price, a 2025 Jack Nicklaus finalist, who finished in the top three at the Roadrunner Classic, adds additional firepower to the lineup.
Juniors Haroon Aslam and Yevgeniy "Gene" Ryu will travel as alternates for the championship squad.
Texas Wesleyan led the 2024 NAIA National Championship through three rounds, but a weather-delayed final day saw Dalton State edge ahead to win by a single stroke. That experience has fueled the Rams' offseason preparation and renewed focus heading into this year's event.
The Rams are seeking their first national title since 2019 and the eighth in program history. They will be among the first teams to tee off when play begins Tuesday morning. Texas Wesleyan golfers will begin from Hole No. 1 at TPC Deere Run in consecutive groups starting at 7 a.m. CDT.
Brinchmann-Hansen will open the day for the Rams, followed by deJonge at 7:10 a.m., Sanchez at 7:20 a.m., Meek at 7:30 a.m., and Price at 7:40 a.m. Each will compete alongside players from Keiser University and the College of Coastal Georgia in the featured morning pairings.
Keep up with all the up-to-date news on the Rams' quest for another national championship on ramsports.net
