Providence, R.I., September 6, 2025
News Summary
Providence College is reinstating its men’s golf team as a varsity sport for the first time in 23 years, combining a roster of both talented freshmen and experienced transfers. With the season set to kick off at the Sacred Heart Fall Classic, the team is focusing on establishing a strong foundation and fostering team chemistry. Fundraising efforts, including a golf tournament series, are underway to support the program, which signifies a renewed commitment to diverse athletic opportunities at the college.
Providence, R.I.
Big Return on the Greens: Providence College Men’s Golf Comes Back After 23 Years
Get ready for a fresh chapter on the fairways. Providence College is bringing back men’s golf as a varsity sport for the first time since 2002, and the roster arriving on campus reads like a mix of seasoned club champions and hot-handed high school stars. Competition kicks off at the Sacred Heart Fall Classic on September 8, 2025, and the vibe is equal parts comeback and curiosity.
Roster Snapshot
The new squad includes eight players: three freshmen, three juniors, and two graduate transfers. That blend aims to pair youthful fire with college-level experience pulled from both club and varsity backgrounds.
- Freshman Will Spring (Concord, Mass.) — A 2024 Cape Cod National Massachusetts High School Invitational champion and three-time Dual County League All-Star.
- Freshman Callan Fahey (Wheaton, Ill.) — Set school records for conference points and scoring average, earned Conference Player of the Year honors in 2023, and advanced to U.S. Open Final qualifying in 2025.
- Freshman Liam O’Grady (Louisville, Ky.) — Holds the Louisville Collegiate School scoring record with a 67 and was named Golf MVP in 2023.
- Junior Joe Halferty (Blue Bell, Pa.) — Stepped up from the Providence College club golf team and helped the club win the National Collegiate Club Golf Invitational Championship in 2024.
- Junior Evan Buddenhagen (Gloucester, Mass.) — Transferred from Kennesaw State University and finished inside the top eighth at the 2024 New England Amateur.
- Junior Campbell Skelly (Charleston, S.C.) — Former Rollins College player with a top result of tied for 16th at the 2025 Carolinian Amateur.
- Graduate Logan Jaeger (Basking Ridge, N.J.) — Co-individual champion at the National Collegiate Club Golf Association Championship in April 2024.
- Graduate Kevin Legnard (Bethel, Conn.) — Served as club golf president and captain and also contributed as a practice player for the Providence women’s basketball team.
Coaching and Culture
The squad will be led by head coach Lou Parente. The roster reflects a deliberate approach: tap strong club talent already familiar with the school, add transfer experience, and bring in high-upside freshmen with state, regional, and national-level results. Expect an emphasis on building team chemistry fast and finding competitors who can handle the pressure of varsity tournament golf.
Fundraising and Community Events
Providence College Athletics has launched a 2025 golf tournament series to help fund the program and connect students, alumni, families, and supporters. Events were staged at several local courses, bringing together alumni, donors, and incoming students to showcase community support without any fanfare or flash—just people who care enough to show up and play. One notable moment during the run of events included a stop where the school’s first-ever women’s golf recruit attended, underlining a shared interest in building golf at the college.
Why This Matters
Reviving men’s varsity golf after a 23-year pause is more than a headline. It signals renewed institutional interest in offering diverse athletic opportunities and gives golf-focused student-athletes a pathway to NCAA competition at a private college campus. For fans and local golf nuts, this is a chance to follow a team from day one—watch recruiting, player development, and team culture grow in real time.
What’s Next
Mark September 8, 2025 on the calendar for the first varsity appearance at the Sacred Heart Fall Classic. After that, the schedule will unfold through the fall and spring seasons as the coaching staff settles lineups and looks for consistent scoring across tournament play.
Quick Takeaways for Golf Fans
- Roster balance: freshmen talent mixed with juniors and graduate transfers.
- Immediate play: varsity competition starts in early September 2025.
- Community support: fundraising series and alumni events were organized to build momentum.
- Watch for: players who dominated high school and club ranks making the jump to varsity level.
FAQ
When will Providence College men’s golf start varsity competition?
The team will begin varsity competition at the Sacred Heart Fall Classic on September 8, 2025.
How big is the incoming roster?
Eight players: three freshmen, three juniors, and two graduate transfers.
Who are some players to watch?
Freshmen Will Spring, Callan Fahey, and Liam O’Grady bring notable high school and regional wins. Graduate transfer Logan Jaeger and junior transfer Evan Buddenhagen bring club and amateur pedigree.
Is this a club-to-varsity transition?
Partially. Several players come from club backgrounds, including members of the Providence College club golf team that won a national club championship in 2024.
Are there fundraising or community events connected to the team?
Yes. A 2025 golf tournament series was launched to raise funds and connect alumni, donors, students, and supporters through gatherings at multiple golf clubs.
Quick Reference Table
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| First Varsity Event | Sacred Heart Fall Classic — September 8, 2025 |
| Roster Size | 8 players (3 freshmen, 3 juniors, 2 graduate transfers) |
| Head Coach | Lou Parente |
| Notable Freshmen | Will Spring, Callan Fahey, Liam O’Grady |
| Notable Transfers | Logan Jaeger, Evan Buddenhagen, Kevin Legnard |
| Fundraising Actions | 2025 golf tournament series with alumni and donor events |
| Team Background | Blend of club champions, amateur standouts, and decorated high school players |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Kent State Starts Strong at Pan Pacific Golf Super League
Kent State Men’s Golf Team Shines in Japan
Megan Khang’s Journey from Local Course to LPGA Stardom
Local Golf Scene Kicks Off with Tri-Match Action
Golf Season Kicks Off in Rhode Island
Additional Resources
- Providence College Men’s Golf Returns to Action
- Wikipedia: Golf
- Men’s Golf Announces Incoming Class
- Google Search: Providence College men’s golf
- Providence College Announces Head Coaches for Men’s and Women’s Golf
- Google Scholar: Providence College Athletics
- Friar Athletics Tees Off 2025 Golf Fundraising Tournament Series
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Golf Fundraising
- Providence College Athletics Announces Dates for 2025 Golf Tournaments
- Google News: Providence College Golf
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