FARMINGTON, Utah (May 8, 2026) – Sacramento State’s Kamden Brakel has been named Big Sky Conference Men’s Golf Coach of the Year for the 2025-26 season, the league office announced today.
This marks his fourth Coach of the Year title from the Big Sky while serving as the head man for the Hornets. The honor is voted on by the league’s head coaches.
The Hornets fished play with a 23-under 841 (290, 270, 281) to set a new Big Sky Championship record for 54-hole team score.
That finish put them nine shots clear of the Idaho Vandals, who finished at 14-under.
The victory also marked back-to-back titles, as Sacramento State won the 2024 championship before the league’s one-year hiatus. In total, this marks Sac State’s sixth Big Sky men’s golf title since 1996.
On the individual side, the title came down to a playoff between a pair of teammates, with Sacramento State’s Gabriel Smith and Jai Bahl both finishing competition at 9-under. Ultimately, on Hole No. 1, Smith secured a birdie to take home the league’s top prize. That marked his first collegiate victory.
It was announced on Wednesday that Sacramento State will compete in the Corvallis, Oregon Regional at Trysting Tree Golf Club. Competition will run from Monday, May 18 to Wednesday, May 20.
The Hornets were also named Big Sky Conference Commissioner’s Team of the Month yesterday.
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