Smith wins men's golf national championship

University of North Georgia (UNG) junior Hunter Smith won the NCAA Division II men's golf individual national title May 21 with a three-round score of 6-under-par at PGA National Resort in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.

Smith then helped his team reach the national semifinals before falling to defending national champion Colorado Christian in medal match play.

For Smith and the Nighthawks, a chance to chase national glory was always the goal after a national runner-up finish in 2024.

"I think it comes down to how bad we want it and our love for the game," Smith said.

Smith becomes the second individual national champion in Nighthawk history and the fourth national champion overall. Journey Gurley won the pole vault national title in 2021, and the UNG softball team won national championships in 2015 and 2023.

With the first victory of his collegiate career, the Athens, Georgia, native was immediately elevated to and announced as a Golf Coaches Association of America NCAA Division II PING First Team All-American, becoming the 10th All-American in program history.

Cool down that 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗠𝗣🥶#NATTYHAWK | #HawkTheGardens pic.twitter.com/OCbfQ86UHZ

— UNG Men's Golf (@UNGMGolf) May 21, 2025

"I didn't even realize it was his first college win until right before we thought it might happen," head coach Bryson Worley said. "He wasn't all-conference, he wasn't all-region, and now he's an individual national champion, first one in program history. That's pretty dang cool." 

His best day of stroke play was a 5-under-par 67 during the May 20 second round.

Smith is in his second season at UNG after playing his freshman year at Georgia State University.

"It couldn't have happened to a better kid. He works so hard, does everything the right way," Worley said. "He's such a team guy. For him to win is just huge. I'm just super happy for him."

Friendships formed with teammates are what have made Smith's time with the Nighthawks special so far.

"We’ve got such a close group. We all care about each other and have built strong bonds," Smith said. "Whether we're out grinding, competing or just hanging out, it's always a good time with the boys."

The 2025 season marks UNG's fifth in a row playing in an NCAA regional, the fourth consecutive year reaching the NCAA Division II championship and its second year in a row advancing to match play.