BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Texas A&M Men's Golf interim head coach Brian Kortan announced the Aggies' three-tournament 2020 fall schedule that includes road trips to Alabama, Arkansas and Tennessee. Â
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2020 Texas A&M Men's Golf Fall Schedule
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"We're extremely excited to have the opportunity to compete this fall season," Kortan said. "We haven't played as a team since mid-March, so I know the guys are ready to get out there and compete. We're thankful to have three tournaments at really good courses with strong SEC fields."
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A veteran of seven seasons as an assistant coach with the Aggies, Kortan was named the interim head coach for the 2020-21 season by Texas A&M Director of Athletics Ross Bjork. The Aggies head into 2020-21 on the heels of arguably the most successful three-year span in program history with a trio of consecutive top eight national finishes – tie for 5th in 2018 and 2019 and No. 8 in COVID-19-shortened 2020.
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"I'm extremely proud of what the team has been able to accomplish in my seven seasons with Aggie Golf, and I look forward to building on the tradition of excellence that has built here over the past 19 seasons," Kortan said. "I'm humbled and excited by the opportunity to lead a fantastic group of talented young men into the 2020-21 season."
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It will be a veteran-laden group that Kortan will oversee this season with the top seven scorers from 2019-20 returning, including a trio of PING All-Americans in Walker Lee (Houston, Texas), Sam Bennett (Madisonville, Texas) and William Paysse (Belton, Texas). The Aggies won a pair of tournaments last spring and were runners-up in three others. Additionally, the Aggies added a trio of talented newcomers in freshmen Michael Heidelbaugh (Dallas, Texas), Daniel Rodrigues (Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal) and Vishnu Sadagopan (Pearland, Texas).
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"I'm a competitor and I'm excited to see my name on the board next to this team of Aggie golfers for the first time," Kortan said. "We've been very successful and nothing is going to change in the way we prepare and compete. Our goal will always be to compete for championships. This fall schedule will be a great test. We will be ready to take on this challenge."
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A standout collegiate player and conference champion at the University of New Mexico, Kortan served as an assistant coach at his alma mater for four seasons (2009-13). In his final season at UNM, Kortan helped the Lobos advance to match play at the 2013 NCAA Championships and finished in a tie for fifth, the highest finish in program history.
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Prior to joining the UNM staff, Kortan was a collegiate All-American and enjoyed a 16-year professional golf career, competing on various professional golf tours including the PGA and Nationwide tours. He played in the 2008 US Open and notched wins at over 15 professional events throughout his career.
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2020 Texas A&M Men's Golf Fall Schedule
| Oct. 5-7 | Blessings Collegiate Invitational | Blessings Golf Club | Fayetteville, Ark. |
| Oct. 25-27 | Vanderbilt Legends Collegiate | VU Legends Club | Franklin, Tenn. |
| Nov. 9-10 | Jerry Pate National Intercollegiate | Old Overton Club | Vestavia Hills, Ala. |
"We're extremely excited to have the opportunity to compete this fall season," Kortan said. "We haven't played as a team since mid-March, so I know the guys are ready to get out there and compete. We're thankful to have three tournaments at really good courses with strong SEC fields."
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A veteran of seven seasons as an assistant coach with the Aggies, Kortan was named the interim head coach for the 2020-21 season by Texas A&M Director of Athletics Ross Bjork. The Aggies head into 2020-21 on the heels of arguably the most successful three-year span in program history with a trio of consecutive top eight national finishes – tie for 5th in 2018 and 2019 and No. 8 in COVID-19-shortened 2020.
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"I'm extremely proud of what the team has been able to accomplish in my seven seasons with Aggie Golf, and I look forward to building on the tradition of excellence that has built here over the past 19 seasons," Kortan said. "I'm humbled and excited by the opportunity to lead a fantastic group of talented young men into the 2020-21 season."
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It will be a veteran-laden group that Kortan will oversee this season with the top seven scorers from 2019-20 returning, including a trio of PING All-Americans in Walker Lee (Houston, Texas), Sam Bennett (Madisonville, Texas) and William Paysse (Belton, Texas). The Aggies won a pair of tournaments last spring and were runners-up in three others. Additionally, the Aggies added a trio of talented newcomers in freshmen Michael Heidelbaugh (Dallas, Texas), Daniel Rodrigues (Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal) and Vishnu Sadagopan (Pearland, Texas).
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"I'm a competitor and I'm excited to see my name on the board next to this team of Aggie golfers for the first time," Kortan said. "We've been very successful and nothing is going to change in the way we prepare and compete. Our goal will always be to compete for championships. This fall schedule will be a great test. We will be ready to take on this challenge."
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A standout collegiate player and conference champion at the University of New Mexico, Kortan served as an assistant coach at his alma mater for four seasons (2009-13). In his final season at UNM, Kortan helped the Lobos advance to match play at the 2013 NCAA Championships and finished in a tie for fifth, the highest finish in program history.
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Prior to joining the UNM staff, Kortan was a collegiate All-American and enjoyed a 16-year professional golf career, competing on various professional golf tours including the PGA and Nationwide tours. He played in the 2008 US Open and notched wins at over 15 professional events throughout his career.