SMU Golf Opens 2026 Season with Major Test at PGA Frisco

SMU men's golf doesn't have to travel far for its first measuring stick of the new season.

The Mustangs open the 2026-27 college golf season Monday at the Jackson T. Stephens Cup at PGA Frisco, beginning a three-day event that should quickly show where SMU stands with a roster mixing proven returners and intriguing newcomers.

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Competition runs Sept. 14-16 at PGA Frisco's East Course.

Ben Steinmann headlines SMU's five-man lineup after an impressive freshman season. Steinmann reached the NCAA Bryan Regional as an individual and also captured the Desimone Invitational, giving the Mustangs a proven player to build around as they begin another run through a difficult schedule.

Joining Steinmann in Frisco are Gabe Post, Matthew Foster, Alex Huang and Morgan Slaton.

Huang and Slaton are particularly interesting additions.

Both transfers will make their SMU debuts this week and arrive with plenty of college experience. Huang recorded five top-20 finishes last season, including a third-place result, while posting a 71.40 scoring average over 33 rounds. The Plano native owns a 71.90 career scoring average.

Slaton produced three top-10 finishes last season and averaged 71.60 across 30 rounds. His career scoring average entering the season is 73.03.

That added experience could be important for a Mustangs program looking to build on a 2025-26 campaign that included individual NCAA Regional appearances by Steinmann and Will Sides.

SMU is also familiar with the Stephens Cup stage.

The Mustangs competed in the event last season at Shoreacres in Illinois, finishing sixth. A year earlier, SMU reached the match-play final, while Sides captured the individual championship in a playoff. The program also finished third when the Stephens Cup was held at Trinity Forest in 2023.

This year's event keeps SMU much closer to home.

The Mustangs begin Monday morning off the 10th hole, with Slaton scheduled for the first SMU tee time at 7:39 a.m., followed by Huang, Foster, Post and Steinmann.

MORE: SMU Offense Finds Cleaner Gear in Rout of UC Davis

For SMU, the opener is more than an early-season tuneup. Steinmann already has postseason experience, Huang and Slaton bring immediate help, and PGA Frisco provides a high-profile stage to find out how quickly the new lineup can come together.

Golf Channel is scheduled to carry tournament coverage throughout the week, including the final round Wednesday.