LAS VEGAS, Nev. – After stellar regular seasons, both Garrison Smith and Aidan Thomas of NM State will travel to Las Vegas for NCAA Regional play. 17 of the top 100 golfers in Golfstat's individual rankings will descend upon Las Vegas for the three-day event. Competing against top talent from across the country, including No. 3 Michael Thorbjornnsen (Stanford) and No. 8 Ben James (Virginia), Thomas and Smith will need to remain at the top of their games throughout the regional.
 
Designed by Jack Nicklaus, Bear's Best Las Vegas is a unique golf course. Composed of manicured bent grass greens, challenging designs, and immaculate fairway/tee complexes, Thomas and Smith will be in for a challenging course. Nicklaus and his design team scoured photos and plans from hundreds of holes across his 270 designs worldwide to develop the plan for the 18 holes in Las Vegas.
 
Smith and Thomas will be competing for a spot at the NCAA Championships as one of the six qualifying individuals. One individual from each of the six regionals will advance to the NCAA Championships in Scottsdale from May 26-31.
 
2023 NCAA Las Vegas Regional
Dates: Monday, May 15 – Wednesday, May 17, 2023
Location: Las Vegas, Nev.
Course: Bear's Best Las Vegas
Par/Yardage: 72/7,217
 
How to Follow
Each shot of the 2023 NCAA Las Vegas Regional will be entered into Golfstat. Fans can follow along throughout the day for free.
 
The Field
The Las Vegas regional features 14 teams and five individuals. The postseason field as full of elite talent including No. 4 Arizona State, No. 8 Stanford, No. 16 Virginia, No. 21 Oklahoma State, No. 28 Northwestern, No. 33 East Tennessee State, No. 40 Cincinnati, No. 45 San Francisco, No. 57 Long Beach State, No. 66 Oregon State, No. 83 Davidson, Kansas City, Lehigh, and No. 51 UNCG.
 
Smith and Thomas will compete against three individuals, including Brady McKinlay (Utah Valley), Mac McClear (Iowa) and No. 39 Caden Fioroni (UNLV).
 
Format
The tournament will last three days with one round being played each day, weather permitting. The NCAA Las Vegas will feature 54-holes of stroke play with the top individual not on the championship winning team advancing to the NCAA Championships in Scottsdale.
 
Teeing Off for the Aggies
1.Garrison Smith – 10:31 a.m. MT
2.Aidan Thomas – 10:42 a.m. MT