SEASON PREVIEW: 2026 Madison College WolfPack Men's & Women's Golf

The 2026-27 athletic year will mark an historic moment in the long history of golf at Madison College, as the WolfPack debut women's golf along with men's program. The women become the tenth varsity sport and fifth women's team on campus. Also new this fall and spring is the Prairie Pines Golf Club in Sun Prairie as the new home course for the Pack and head coach Chris Soulier, who will lead both programs.

“On the men's side, we have a solid group with a solid combination of experience and talent. With the experience of watching one of their teammates make it to the national tournament last season, they have a desire to return as a team. I expect great things from this group leading up to the spring season. For the women, it's an exciting new adventure and we're enjoying getting to know each other as a team. We'll learn together what type of team we are, what we need to do to have success, and what sort of competition is out there.”

Men's Golf

The WolfPack return five players from last season's team that finished tied for third at the Region 4 Tournament and just 18 strokes away from qualifying as a team for the NJCAA Division II Men's Golf Championships. Kellan Jacobson and Jacob Schmeltzer each earned Third Team All-Region 4 honors as freshman, with Jacobson's 79.0 scoring average sitting as the best of the group back for a second season. Kaden Zinkle, who joined the team mdiway through the 2025-26 schedule, turned in seven rounds of 80 or better for a 79.7 average, followed by Micah Lenway at 82.4, Schmeltzer at 85.3, and Parker Morrow at 94.3. Joining the team this year is transfer Jack Kammer, a former high school teammate of Jacobson's. After a season at Sauk Valley Community College, he brings additional experience and added depth to compete for a spot in the top five. The lone freshman on the roster is Logan Cunningham, who was a WIAA Division 2 Sectional qualifier and South Central Conference Championship co-medalist at Wisconsin Dells.

“We have a hard working, tight knit group with a team desire to make the national tournament. Jack arrives at Madison College with some first year collegiate golf experience and playing in the top five. He's a solid player with a desire to improve everyday. Logan Cunningham is a solid incoming freshman with a competitive spirit and a desire to make an impact in the top five.”

Women's Golf

With much uncertainty also comes much optimism and excitement as Madison College's newest team begins competition. Delaina Nicewander of Mount Horeb became the program's first-ever recruit after a high school career in which she qualified for the WIAA Division 1 State Tournament as a senior and was the 42nd-ranked player from the Class of 2025, according to Wisconsin.golf. Katey Buchanan comes to the WolfPack as a three-time state tournament qualifier from Harbor Springs, Michigan. Emma Cegielski from Winneconne, Wisconsin, reached the sectionals, as did Kate Sendelbach, a multi-sport athlete and all-conference golfer at Evansville High School. Lauren Richards was part of a WIAA Division 2 State Runner-up team from Edgerton, Wisconsin. Rounding out the roster are Camille Bushnell from Trinity, Alabama, and Stace Stacy from Madison, Wisconsin.

"We have some real talent in this group and I expect this team will have the ability to put up competitive scores. The overall love and passion for the game of golf is very evident throughout the team. Experience and leadership is something we'll need to work on together."

Schedule

The Madison College men's golf team will open the 2026-27 campaign with the first of three events hosted by NCAA programs when they play in the Culver's Edgewood University Classic at Glen Erin Golf Club in nearby Janesville. They will follow with the two-day, 36-hole WolfPack Challenge at Prairie Pines Golf Club on September 10-11. Two more tests against NCAA programs come with the MSU/CSP Fall Brawl at Troy Burne Golf Club in Hudson, Wisconsin, and the Jewel Invitational hosted by Winona State University. The fall slate wraps up with a junior college showdown at the Battle for the Mississippi in Sherrard, Illinois. 

The WolfPack women will make their program debut at the Judson University Invite in Huntley, Illinois, on September 2, before teeing it up at Odana Hills Golf Course in Madison for the Edgewood University Fall Invite from September 20-21. The rest of the fall schedule includes the Dechert Classic, hosted by Millikin University, and the NJCAA Fall Preview in October.

Postseason play for both teams will await at the end of the spring portion of their schedule.