Will Sides finished 16th at the NCAA Regional, narrowly missing the championship spot for non-advancing team members. He completed the tournament at five-under par after shooting a second-round 69, with his tournament performance highlighted by an eagle on hole five. Sides leaves the season with new SMU records, including a scoring average of 69.63. Teammate Ben Steinmann ended in 64th after a final round of 81, concluding a promising freshman season. The SMU men’s golf team achieved four individual titles this year and earned a top 50 ranking in the ACCs.

By the Numbers
  • Will Sides: 16th place at NCAA Regional, five-under par for the tournament.
  • Sides set a new SMU record with a season scoring average of 69.63, beating Noah Goodwin's 2020-21 record of 70.00.
  • Steinmann finished 64th at the NCAA Regional, scoring 12-over par.
Yes, But

While Sides had a record-setting season, missing the NCAA Championship spot raises questions about the competitiveness of individual play versus team dynamics for advancing in such tournaments.

State of Play
  • The NCAA Regional concluded the SMU men's golf season, marking the end of competitive play for the team.
  • Both players (Sides and Steinmann) showed promise, contributing significantly to the team’s overall performance.
What's Next

With the season over, Sides and Steinmann will likely focus on individual improvement, with Sides eyeing professional opportunities and Steinmann seeking to build on his freshman success.

Bottom Line

Despite a strong season and record-setting performances, Sides' near miss emphasizes the pressure of individual accolades in the context of team competitions. The future looks bright for both players, but they’ll need to build on this year's experiences to succeed further.