Following Round One at Southern Highlands Collegiate, the Aggies are in sixth place.

In the world of collegiate golf, the Southern Highlands Collegiate is one of the premier events on the calendar, attracting top-tier teams and golfers from across the country. As one of the most prestigious tournaments in the college golf circuit, it serves as an opportunity for players to showcase their skills in a competitive, high-stakes environment. The 2025 edition of the Southern Highlands Collegiate is no different, with top programs from across the nation competing on the challenging and scenic Southern Highlands Golf Club in Las Vegas.

For the Texas A&M Aggies, a storied program with a rich history in college golf, Round One at Southern Highlands had its ups and downs. After completing their first round, the Aggies found themselves in sixth place, a position that leaves room for optimism but also emphasizes the tough competition they will face in the remaining rounds. The tournament offers a unique chance to assess how Texas A&M stacks up against some of the nation’s best, but it also serves as a reminder of the challenge that awaits as they look to improve their standing and make a run for the title.

This article will take a closer look at the Aggies’ performance following Round One, analyze the factors contributing to their position, and discuss the keys to their success moving forward. It will also explore the broader context of the tournament, the challenges the Aggies face, and the potential for the team to make a charge up the leaderboard in the days ahead.

A Challenging Course at Southern Highlands Golf Club

Southern Highlands Golf Club is known for its difficulty and beauty. The course offers a mix of elevation changes, narrow fairways, and undulating greens that challenge even the most skilled players. This particular venue demands precision, strategy, and composure, making it an ideal test for college golfers. For the Aggies, the challenge of Southern Highlands is multifaceted—while the course is undeniably difficult, it is also a great opportunity for the team to assess its readiness for postseason play.

The course is designed by the renowned architect Tom Fazio and offers some of the most spectacular views in the sport, particularly from the tees, which are situated atop elevated ridges. The design of the course demands accuracy from tee to green, with several holes requiring players to navigate doglegs, bunkers, and water hazards. The greens, known for their speed and subtle breaks, add another layer of difficulty, requiring players to be precise not only with their approach shots but also with their putting.

The conditions at Southern Highlands are often windy, adding an extra layer of complexity for players who must adjust their shot-making to accommodate gusts. On top of the natural challenges, the mental aspect of competing in a field of this caliber at such a prestigious venue cannot be understated. For the Aggies, the course was both an obstacle and an opportunity—a chance to prove their mettle against some of the best teams in the nation.

The Aggies’ Performance After Round One

At the conclusion of Round One, Texas A&M stood in sixth place, which is a solid position, but the team will need to make significant improvements in the coming rounds to break into the top spots. After a challenging first day, the Aggies ended the round with a team score of 289, just a few strokes off the pace of the top-ranked teams. While it’s not the ideal position to be in, there are still plenty of rounds left to make a move.

1. Individual Performances: Key Players in Round One

While Texas A&M may not have dominated the leaderboard after Round One, there were individual performances that stood out. These players will need to continue their strong play and take their game to the next level in order for the Aggies to move up in the standings.

Sam Bennett, the Aggies’ standout senior and one of the most experienced players on the roster, played a steady round on the difficult course. Known for his consistency and leadership, Bennett shot a solid score of 71, which was one of the better scores for Texas A&M in Round One. While he’s always capable of posting lower scores, Bennett’s experience and poise under pressure make him a key asset for the Aggies. His leadership on and off the course will be vital as the team looks to improve over the next few rounds.

Riley Starks, another senior who has shown flashes of brilliance, shot a 73 in Round One. While this score was not particularly low, Starks has the capability to bounce back with a strong second round. His ball-striking ability, particularly off the tee, will be essential if the Aggies hope to close the gap between themselves and the leaders.

The Aggies also had notable contributions from their underclassmen. Jordan Kouski, a freshman who has shown promise throughout the season, posted a 74 in the first round. Although it may not have been a standout performance, Kouski’s composure and ability to handle the pressure of a major event like the Southern Highlands Collegiate should not be overlooked. His performance over the next few rounds will be crucial as the Aggies aim to climb the leaderboard.

2. Team Strengths and Areas for Improvement

Texas A&M’s solid performance in Round One suggests that the team has the ability to perform well on this challenging course. However, several areas need improvement if the Aggies hope to contend for a top finish.

Driving Accuracy: One of the key factors in Texas A&M’s performance in Round One was their driving accuracy. On a course like Southern Highlands, hitting fairways is crucial, as the narrow landing areas leave little margin for error. While the Aggies were solid off the tee, their accuracy could be improved, especially as they attempt to attack the more difficult holes in the coming rounds. Sam Bennett’s driving accuracy will be particularly important, as he leads the team in this category. If the Aggies can improve their fairway accuracy and avoid the rough and hazards, they will be in a better position to score low.

Short Game and Putting: One area where the Aggies struggled in Round One was their performance around the greens. The greens at Southern Highlands are fast and undulating, requiring a great deal of finesse in both chipping and putting. The Aggies missed several birdie opportunities on the greens, with some players failing to get the ball up and down from around the greens. If they can improve their short game and putting, the team has the potential to lower their score significantly in the coming rounds.

Mental Toughness and Course Management: The mental aspect of golf is often the difference between a solid round and a great round. In a tournament as competitive as the Southern Highlands Collegiate, the ability to stay calm under pressure, manage the course wisely, and make smart decisions is key. Texas A&M’s players have shown that they can handle the physical challenges of the course, but they will need to manage their emotions and stay focused throughout the remainder of the tournament. Players like Bennett and Starks, with their experience, will play a pivotal role in helping the younger players stay mentally sharp.

The Competitive Landscape at Southern Highlands

While Texas A&M’s position after Round One is respectable, the competition at the Southern Highlands Collegiate is fierce. Top-ranked programs like Stanford, Arizona State, Oklahoma State, and Southern California are all vying for the top spots, making it clear that every stroke counts in this high-stakes event.

Stanford, a perennial powerhouse in collegiate golf, currently leads the tournament, boasting players who are capable of making big runs and posting impressive rounds. Arizona State, led by one of the nation’s top coaches, Matt Thurmond, is always a threat, with players who can compete at the highest level. Oklahoma State and Southern California, both of whom have deep and talented rosters, will also be formidable opponents in the coming rounds.

Given the quality of the competition, Texas A&M will need to play its best golf to make a push for the top. The gap between sixth place and the leading teams is narrow, but the Aggies must eliminate mistakes, improve their accuracy, and execute under pressure if they hope to challenge for the title.

What Lies Ahead: The Road to the Final Round

With two rounds left in the Southern Highlands Collegiate, Texas A&M is in a good position but still has work to do. The next two rounds will be critical in determining the Aggies’ final standing. If they can improve their driving accuracy, short game, and mental approach to the course, they have the potential to climb up the leaderboard.

Texas A&M has the talent and experience to make a strong charge. With players like Bennett, Starks, and Kouski, the Aggies are well-equipped to handle the challenge. As they look to improve on their first-round performance, it will be important for them to stay patient, maintain their composure, and make smart decisions on each hole. Whether or not they can overcome the stiff competition and challenge for a top spot remains to be seen, but the team’s performance in the next rounds will ultimately determine their fate.