The University of California, Irvine is a top public research university in coastal Southern California, known for strong STEM and humanities programs, an innovative Honors College, cutting-edge medical center, and vibrant, diverse campus life near Los Angeles and Newport Beach.

State

California

Student Population

37,000

Acceptance Rate

25%

GPA Range

3.7

SAT Range

1250-1450

Common Majors

Biology, Computer Science, Business Economics, Psychology, and Engineering

"I love UC Irvine's sunny, bike-friendly campus with stunning Aldrich Park and modern Anteater vibes. Life outside class means beaches nearby, Irvine's safe suburbs, and vibrant Anteater community events. The supportive profs, top research ops, and chill yet driven student life make UCI my perfect home!"

Team & Tuition

Divison

Division 1

Tuition (no scholarship)

17,357 (in-state), $47,271 (out-of-state)

Conference

Big West Conference

Scholarships Available

Yes. Both athletic and academic.

Avg Men's Scores

75.2

Avg Women's Scores

73-74

Men's Team Notes

UC Irvine men’s golf competes at the NCAA Division I level in the Big West, often carding in the mid‑70s per round and posting team totals that keep them inside the top half of crowded fields. The Anteaters combine solid scoring with improving depth and have cracked the top‑3 at several conference‑caliber events.

Women's Team Notes

UC Irvine women’s golf operates at a strong mid‑level D‑I standard, frequently posting team averages in the low‑70s per round and competitive totals in the 290s over three‑round events. The team shows steady progress, regularly finishing in the upper reaches of mid‑tier collegiate tournaments.

Coaches

Men's Coach

Paul Smolinski

Women's Coach

Margo Dionisio

Men's Email

psmolins@uci.edu

Women's Email

mcdionis@uci.edu

Men's Coach Bio

Paul Smolinski enters his 28th season (2025-26) as UC Irvine men's golf head coach, securing eight Big West Conference championships (2001, 2002, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2015, 2018). Smolinski's teams consistently rank among conference leaders while maintaining academic excellence. He also directs the UC Irvine Junior Golf Program, mentoring young players while building competitive collegiate rosters through disciplined preparation and player development.

Women's Coach Bio

Margo Dionisio leads UC Irvine women's golf, bringing assistant coaching experience from Santa Clara and Cal State Fullerton to her head coaching role since 2022. Dionisio emphasizes fundamentals, short game precision, and competitive match play preparation in the Big West Conference. Her player-centered approach builds depth through strategic recruiting while leveraging Irvine's facilities and Southern California recruiting base to position the Anteaters for postseason contention.