It’s back!
The National Golf Invitational, the NIT of college golf, is returning for its third year next spring. Ak-Chin Southern Dunes in Maricopa, Arizona, will host the event for the third straight year.
Next year, the NGI will again feature a men’s and women’s championship, each with a maximum of 18 teams playing 54 holes of stroke play. Women will play first, May 8-11, with the men the following week, May 15-18.
“I feel like there is real momentum and awareness for the NGI,” said Golfweek‘s Lance Ringler, the tournament director of the NGI. “This will be the third season of this postseason championship and the feedback from the first two have been very good.”
The NGI gives teams on the outside of the NCAA postseason a chance to have a season-ending championship of their own.
There will be a slight change to how teams are invited this year. The NGI will continue to invite teams based on ranking, but also invite teams that are under .500 in ranking order that are outside the number to earn an at-large bid into NCAA regionals.
“Our main focus is continuing to inform the coaches and administrators that this is happening and to prepare for it,” Ringler said.
Last year, the Washington State men and Rutgers women won the second NGI titles. Anthony Delisanti from Valparaiso won the men’s individual title, and Jacksonville State’s Jinger Heath took home the women’s individual crown.
To stay up to date with updates from the NGI, follow its Instagram page here.