NASHVILLE, Tenn. – On Tuesday, the College Sports Communicators announced that Vanderbilt men’s golfers Ryan Downes and Wells Williams were selected to the CSC Academic All-District men’s at-large team for their excellent performance on the golf course and in the classroom.
It is the second-straight year that Williams has been named to the CSC Academic All-District men’s at-large team, while it is the first selection for Downes. Williams advances to the CSC Academic All-America ballot, which will be announced on July 8.
To be eligible for the CSC Academic All-District team, student-athletes must be at least a sophomore, maintain a 3.50 cumulative grade point average (on a 4.0 scale), and compete in 70 percent of tournaments that were team scoring events or be in the lineup during a conference championship. The CSC Academic All-District men’s at-large team consists of student-athletes who compete at the NCAA Division I level in ice hockey, lacrosse, water polo, fencing, rifle, skiing, golf, gymnastics, volleyball, and wrestling.
Williams, who graduated from Vanderbilt in May with a degree in anthropology, enjoyed a spectacular final campaign with the Dores in 2025-26. The senior was named the SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year for the second straight season in April, and he has earned All-America honors from both the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA) and Golfweek. The West Point, Mississippi, native led Vanderbilt in stroke average at 70.16 and posted a team-high seven top-10 finishes. Williams finished 10th in the PGA TOUR University rankings and earned his Korn Ferry Tour card at the conclusion of the 2026 NCAA Championship. He made his professional debut at last week’s OccuNet Classic presented by Amarillo National Bank in Amarillo National Bank.
Downes, an economics major, held a scoring average of 71.50 over 36 rounds of play during the 2025-26 season. The Longmeadow, Massachusetts, native won The Bryson Invitational with a season-best score of 13-under 203. Downes posted two additional top-five finishes, placing fourth at The Carmel Cup and tying for fifth at the Mason Rudolph Championship. He was named SEC Golfer of the Week on Oct. 22 after winning The Bryson Invitational. As a freshman, Downes was named to the SEC First-Year Academic Honor Roll.
Van Paris tees off at the 126th U.S. Open
Vanderbilt men’s golf alum Jackson Van Paris makes his U.S. Open debut this week, as the former All-American is set to participate in the 126th U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, New York.
He tees off Round 1 on Thursday at 11:41 a.m. CT and opens Round 2 on Friday at 5:46 a.m. CT. Fans can watch live on USA Network or Peacock or follow with live scoring.
Van Paris, who is playing in his first full season on the Korn Ferry Tour, qualified for the U.S. Open after surviving golf’s longest day. He finished in a tie for fifth at the U.S. Open Final Qualifying event at Gaston Country Club in Gastonia, North Carolina.
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