Senior men’s golfer Sam Renner has found himself in a leadership role for the 2025 men’s golf team after a record-breaking season in 2024. 

Renner in 2024 set the WSU men’s golf record for lowest scoring average per round at 70.67 in the season along with back-to-back tournament titles for the first time in school history. 

Being named to the All-WCC team helped motivate Renner to play better for this season. In 2024, he went to the NCAA Regional Men’s Golf Tournament in Bremerton, Washington. In 2023 the team and himself just narrowly missed out, giving him the motivation to make it to the tournament. 

In the NCAA Regional, Renner finished tied for No. 27 at three shots over par in the three-round tournament. Renner hopes to find similar motivation for the 2025 season, wanting both himself and the team to find postseason golf once again. 

Renner, being a student athlete, has a daily routine of school, golf and more school in homework. For his personal time he tries to find time to spend in his personal life playing video games or hanging out with friends.

To manage his personal time, he prioritizes finishing homework in a timely manner to give him some time to himself. In his personal time with friends and family, he does his best to not think about golf or school because it is most of his life. 

Head coach Dustin White has immensely helped Renner progress his talents and take it to the next level. 

“When I got here I had good knowledge, but now in my final season I have great knowledge of the sport. It is definitely a blessing,” Renner said. 

For the team sport element in college golf, Renner doesn’t personally feel a difference between competition, but he understands he needs to perform well to help the team win. 

“How would my team feel if I gave up? I would think back to that and it keeps me focused to help the team,” Renner said. 

With a strong start to the 2025 season, the WSU men’s golf team won the Palouse Collegiate Tournament set in Pullman. 

“I’m really proud of the guys, they really hit the ground running,” he said.

Renner in his final season is taking a senior leadership role and is excited to see this 2025 team. He wants to take this role to help the freshman as he was helped when he first came to WSU. 

“I try to take them under my wing, to help them understand both the area and the team sport,” Renner said. 

Renner’s favorite road-trip he has made with the team is every time they have gone to Hawaii. Last year at the John Burns Intercollegiate tournament in Hawaii, the team did not get the win finishing 15th. Renner himself enjoyed the trip and team travel environment staying at a beachhouse for the team. The coaches are heavily included in each team event.

“We’re like a family, coaches and players all hang out together and I appreciate that about our coaching staff,” Renner said. 

Renner once he graduates plans to make a leap into professional golf, whether it is the PGA or LIV tournament. 

“I’m gonna give it a go, and we’ll go from there,” he says. 

The next tournament for WSU is Sep. 22 and 23 at The Tindall in Bremerton, Washington.