Penn golf will make a pilgrimage to one of the world’s most famous golf courses.
In October 2026, both the men’s and women’s golf teams will be competing in the 2026 St. Andrew’s Links Collegiate in Scotland for the first time in program history. On Oct. 15, the announcement was made by the Golf Channel following the completion of the 2025 event. The St. Andrews course, often referred to the “home of golf,” is one of the most recognized and influential golf course in the world. Across its 600 years of history, the course hosted some of the biggest names in golf, including Tiger Woods, Bobby Jones, and Jack Nicklaus.
“It will be everyone’s first time playing St. Andrew’s, so I can say for certain that it will be like a dream come true,” junior player Madeleine Zang said. “The course has so much history and it’ll be such a special treat for us to be able to not only play but compete at the oldest golf course in the world.”
Texas, Washington, and University of St. Andrews will join Penn at the competition for three rounds of gameplay.
The event will last from Oct. 12-14, 2026 and will be fully broadcasted on television directly on the Golf Channel. The opening two rounds will be played on the Jubilee Course, where the individual winner for men’s and women’s will be determined. On the final day, the final championship matches will be played on the historic Old Course.
“When my coach first told us, I remember being very shocked but also excited because I knew that this is a fairly new event and that they only invited four schools each year,” junior player Maggie Ni said in a statement to The Daily Pennsylvanian. “It’s truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I can’t wait to experience such an iconic course.”
Zang also shared a very similar sentiment, with both players recognizing the significance of the competition for the team.
“I was honestly ecstatic. I was so happy that Penn was chosen to play next year, especially because it will be my senior year; playing the St. Andrew’s Collegiate will make my final year even more special,” Zang said.
“My team and I are all extremely honored to be chosen to compete in it next year with some amazing schools that we wouldn’t otherwise be normally competing with,” Ni added.
A request for comment was left with athletes of Penn men’s golf.
But the course is not without challenges. With only four teams competing, the Quakers would need to perform well in the qualifiers during the first two rounds of the tournament. Both the Jubilee Course and Old Course are highly regarded Championship courses in golf, both being famous for their strong winds and difficult terrain. For the team, this opportunity is not just about their individual performances, but also an opportunity to play in a world-renowned and historical course.
“I’m mainly looking forward to having this experience with all of my teammates,” Zang said. “Traveling with the team always gives me such great memories, and I honestly can’t wait to share these memories alongside them my senior year.”