Eastern Michigan Athletics
Men’s Golf Welcomes Five Newcomers for 2026-27 Campaign
8/26/2026 1:52:00 PM | Men's Golf
Eastern has added three first-year players and a pair of transfers to the roster
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- The Eastern Michigan University men's golf program has welcomed five newcomers for the 2026-27 season Head Coach Andy Walker announced today, Aug. 26. The newest Eagles include Arsit Areenphun (Thailand), Vicente Quiroga (Bolivia), Parin Sarasmut (Thailand), Ben Sessions (United Kingdom), and Felipe Suarez (Argentina) with all five set to help the program reach the pinnacle of the Mid-American Conference standings and challenge on the national scene.
"I'm very excited to welcome five new student-athletes to Eagle Nation," Walker said. "This group brings an incredible combination of talent, experience, toughness, and a proven ability to win at a high level. These six newcomers join a returning group led by Charlie Box (MAC Player of the Year), Robby Turnbull (MAC Freshman of the Year), and Joshua Hess (All-MAC). Put it all together and we believe we have assembled one of the deepest and most competitive lineups in college golf."
The three first-year players include Quiroga (Coachabamba, Bolivia/Tiquipaya School), Sarasmut (Bangkok, Thailand/Srinakharinwirot University), and Sessions (Dunmow, Essex, UK/The Bishop's Stortford). Under the new age-based eligibility model established by the NCAA earlier this year, all three individuals will enter the season with five years of eligibility.
Quiroga, who enters the collegiate season ranked No. 75 in the World Amateur Golf Rankings (WAGR), has been ranked as high as No. 68 on the list while playing over 60 tournaments in the past four years. A top 10 finisher in 51-of-63 events played, he captured 18 titles while finishing second 17 times and collecting a top finish in 46 total competitions. In 2026 alone, he won six times, including three won the Vuelta Bolivia, a major national junior and amateur golf circuit in his home nation, while adding the Bolivia Junior Open crown. He also added top 40 finishes in a pair of international events, including 20th at the South American Amateur and 38th at the Latin American Amateur Championships. He will be one of two Quirogas playing golf at Eastern Michigan this year as his sister, Constanza, has transferred into the women's program.
"Vicente comes to us from Bolivia and, like Parin Sarasmut, is arriving straight from the U.S. Amateur," Walker stated. "Vicente is one of the highest-ranked players ever recruited to the MAC and his personality is every bit as big as his 320+ yard drives. Most importantly, Vicente has made winning a habit with 12 victories during the 2025-26 seasons. He brings tremendous talent, confidence, and energy to our program and, like all three of our freshmen, will have an opportunity to make an immediate impact in our lineup."
Sarasmut, who is No. 93 on the latest WAGR listing, has been ranked as high as No. 76 internationally while playing for the Thai National team the past two years. A two-time winner of the Golfpreneur Junior World Championship with titles in 2023 and 2026, he has added medalist honors at the 2025 Thai Junior Golf Championships and the 2023 SINGHA Thailand Amateur Open. The runner-up at The Royal Junior in Japan in 2025 and fourth-place finisher in 2026, Sarasmut has added second-place showings at a handful of international competitions, including the 2025 FCG International Junior Championship in the U.S., the 2024 Golf APGC UAE Cup, and the 2022 FCG Callaway World Championship that was played in the U.S.
"Parin is among the top 100 in the world rankings and arrives in Ypsilanti straight from competing in the U.S. Amateur," Walker said. "He adds that experience to an already impressive summer that included a win at the Golfpreneur Junior World Championship and an eighth-place finish at the Toyota Junior World Cup. Parin is someone who simply knows how to golf and compete at the highest level. Beyond his worldwide success, one of the things I love most about Parin is how much he competes. He probably plays as much tournament golf as any junior player in the world. His ability to constantly adapt to different courses, conditions, and competition—and still find ways to be successful—is exactly the mentality we want to define our culture."
Ranked among the top five on the European U18 lists, Sessions added four top 10 finishes to his victory of the Sir Henry Cooper Junior Masters in 2026 while also helping the combined English team win the Girls and Boys Home International match-play event in Scotland for the second consecutive year. Among the top 50 in the European Boys Team Championships in Spain as an individual, he helped his nation, who was the six-seed in the tournament, reach the finals in match play for a silver medal.
"Ben arrives in Ypsilanti playing some of the best golf of his career," Walker said. "He recently made a run to the Elite Eight at the R&A Boys' Amateur and, earlier this summer, won the Sir Henry Cooper Junior Masters after opening the tournament with rounds of 62 and 67. Ben comes to us directly from the prestigious Jacques Léglise Trophy, where he represented Great Britain & Ireland against Continental Europe. Ben has proven that he can compete with the best junior players in the world and we're excited to see him bring that experience to Eagle Nation."
Along with the three first-year players, the program also added a pair of accomplished transfers in Areephun (Chiang Rai, Thailand/Samakkhivittayakhom/Delaware) and Suarez (Cordoba, Argentina/La Santisima Trinidad/Missouri Valley College). Under the new eligibility rules, Areephun has one year of eligibility remaining while Suarez has four remaining.
"We're also welcoming two proven transfers who add experience, leadership, and even more depth to what we believe can be one of the deepest teams in college golf," Walker said.
Areephun was a three-year member of the Blue Hens program and captured one individual title after capturing the 2025 Blue Hen Intercollegiate after shooting 7-under 209. In his 30 tournament appearances, he collected 13 total top 10 showings, including six finishes among the top five as well. A two-time Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) and three-time Conference USA golfer of the week, Areephun earned a spot on the 2025-26 All-Conference USA Second Team after tying for 11th at the conference event.
Prior to his time with Delaware, Areephun competed for the Thai National team and helped the team to a pair of medals at the SEA Games, including the silver in 2022 and the gold in 2023. A winner of several national team ranking tournaments, he placed ninth at the 2023 SINGHA Thailand Amateur Open and the SINGHA Thailand Amateur Match Play Championships.
"Arsit was Delaware's No. 1 player and arrived in Ypsilanti in great form," Walker continued. "Just this past week, he won the Great Lakes Amateur here in Michigan at 14-under, closing with a 66 to win by three shots. Arsit brings much-needed experience along with one of the best golf swings I've seen in a long time. I expect him to compete near the top of our lineup and I'm equally excited about the veteran leadership he will bring to our team."
Suarez was one of the top players in the NAIA during the 2025-26 season as the then-first-year player captured six victories in the 11 tournaments he played with a pair of runner-up finishes added to the list for Missouri Valley College. In his lone season with the Vikings, Suarez finished the season ranked No. 3 in the final Scoreboard/Clippd NAIA rankings and collected numerous awards, including being named the 2025-26 NAIA Phil Mickelson Outstanding Men's Golf Freshman of the Year, the Heart of America Conference Golfer of the Year, and the Heart of America Conference Freshman of the Year. The winner of the individual title at the Heart of America Conference Championships, he was named to the 2025-26 NAIA All-America First Team and the 2025-26 All-Heart of America Conference First Team.
A five-time conference golfer of the week and two-time national golfer of the week, Suarez, who is ranked among the top 300 in the WAGR, earned medalist honors in his second collegiate event as he captured the MVC Fall Invitational with a 17-under 199 after shooting rounds of 65, 68, and 66 to run away with the title. Two events later, he shot 12-under 201 (69-66-66) to win the Pioneer Prairie Classic to start a run of four consecutive wins that included crowns at the Heart of America Preview, the Texas Invitational, and the CBC Spring Invitational. He followed with a pair of second-place showings before capturing the conference title with a 10-under 206. All told, he played 32 rounds on the year and shot at or below par 25 times with 16 rounds in the 60s for the Vikings.
"Felipe was the nation's top freshmen in the NAIA, earning the Phil Mickelson Outstanding Freshman Award," Walker said. "He is no stranger to low numbers or winning college golf tournaments, recording six victories and two runner-up finishes during the 2025-26 season. Felipe is also playing well, noted by his recent 5th place at the Brazilian Amateur Championship. He adds another level of depth and toughness to our team, and it's going to be a lot of fun coaching Felipe over the next four years."
All five newcomers have arrived on campus and are set to represent the Eagles in a national schedule.
"With the men on campus, now comes the fun part," Walker said. "(Assistant) Coach Ryan Yip and I can't wait to start qualifying and watch these guys compete for their spots in the lineup. Nothing will be given. With this much talent and competitiveness throughout the roster, they're going to have to earn it every day—and that's exactly the kind of culture we want at Eastern Michigan."
Getting Started
The first tournament of the 2026-27 season awaits the Eagles Sept. 7-8 when they travel to Whirlwind Golf Club at Wild Horse Pass in Chandler, Ariz., to compete in the Bombs Darts Birdies Collegiate, hosted by the University of Southern California.
Follow the Eagles
Stay up-to-date on all things Eastern Michigan Golf by following the Eagles on social media. The team can be found on X at EMU_Golf and on Instagram at EasternMichiganMensGolf.
2026-27 Eastern Michigan Men's Golf Additions
Arsit Areephun • Fifth Year • 5-11 • Chiang Rai, Thailand / Samakkhivittayakhom HS / Delaware
Vicente Quiroga • First Year • 6-0 • Cochabamba, Bolivia / Tiquipaya School
Parin Sarasmut • First Year • 5-8 • Bangkok, Thailand / Srinakharinwirot University HS
Ben Sessions • First Year • 6-1 • Dunmow, Essex, United Kingdom / The Bishop's Stortford HS
Felipe Suarez • Second Year • 6-2 • Cordoba, Argentina / La Santisima Trinidad HS / Missouri Valley College
2026-27 Eastern Michigan Men's Golf Newcomers Biographies
Arsit Areephun
Y-5 • 5-11
Chiang Rai, Thailand / Samakkhivittayakhom HS / Delaware
Awards & Honors:
2025-26 All-Conference USA Second Team
3x Conference USA Golfer of the Week (2025-26)
2x Coastal Athletic Association Golfer of the Week (2023-24)
1x Individual Collegiate Medalist (2025 Blue Hen Intercollegiate/Sept. 15-16)
2025-26 Conference USA Academic Honor Roll
2024-25 Coastal Athletic Association Fall Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll
2023-24 Coastal Athletic Association Fall & Spring Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll
EMU: Joins the Eastern program in 2026-27 with one year of eligibility remaining... Played in a pair of pro events in Thailand before arriving on campus, including a 35th-place showing at the SINGHA Classic… DELAWARE: Competed for the Blue Hens for three seasons and was a one-time All-CUSA honoree… Captured one individual tournament title and earned numerous conference academic accolades… 2025-26: Named to the All-CUSA Second Team after leading the Blue Hens with a 71.1 season stroke average while collecting four top 10 finishes in his 10 tournament appearances… Won his first collegiate tournament after shooting 7-under to win the Blue Hen Intercollegiate (Sept. 15-16)… Added second-place finishes at the Rutherford Intercollegiate and the PGA WORKS Collegiate Championship… Shot a program-record 132 (67-65) at the Palmas del Mar Collegiate… 2024-25: Played in 10 tournaments on the year, averaging 73.2 strokes per orund… Posted a season-best finish of tied for fifth after shooting 5-under at the Bryan National Collegiate… Shot 64 in the second round of the Mobile Bay Intercollegiate to tie the program record for low single round… 2023-24: Appeared in 10 tournaments in his first collegiate season… Led the team with a 71.9 stroke average while finishing in the top 10 a team-high five times… Fired a two-round score of 132 (67-65) at the Loyola Intercollegiate to set the program's 36-hole record… Finished tied for second at the Loyola event with a 12-under score… Twice named the CAA Golfer of the Week… HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Samakkhi Wittayakhom School where he was a one-year starter and captain… Member of the Thai National golf team… Was a member of the 2022 Sea Games silver medalist team and the 2023 Sea Games gold medalist team… Played in five National Team Ranking events in 2023 and finished in the top four in all five as he won the third stop and took second in the second and fifth events… Ninth place at the 2023 SINGHA Thailand Amateur Match Play Championships… during the 2022 season, placed second at the SINGHA Thailand Amateur Open and the SINGHA Thailand Amateur Match Play Championships… Won the National Team Ranking events twice… PERSONAL: Full Name: Arsit Areephun… Son of Aphisorn and Anchalee Areephun… ISP major.
Vicente Quiroga
Y-1 • 6-0
Cochabamba, Bolivia / Tiquipaya School & Panamerican Success
EMU: Comes to Ypsilanti as a top 100-ranked player in the World Amateur Golf Rankings (WAGR)… Has been ranked as high as No. 68 over the past two years…
HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Tiquipaya School and Panamerican Success… Has been ranked among the top 100 in the World Amateur Golf Rankings for much of the 2025 and 2026 calendar years and climbed as high as No. 68 (July 2026)… In the past four years (2023-26), he competed in 63 tournaments and earned a top 10 finish 51 times, including 18 victories, 17 runner-up showings, and 46 total top 5 placements… In 2026, he captured six titles, including three on the Vuelta Bolivia, a major national junior and amateur golf circuit, while adding wins at the Local Country Club Cochabamba, Local Las Palmas, and the Bolivia Junior Open… Added a 20th-place finish at the Abierto Sundamerican Amateur Championship and was 38th at the Latin American Amateur Championship… The 2025 season saw him collect six wins, including three more Vuelta Bolivia events to go along with the Candy Hannemann AJGC IPA Junior Championship in Brazil among others… He also was the runner-up at the Campeonato Sundamericano Juvenil and 17th at the Latin America Amateur… PERSONAL: Full Name: Vicente Quiroga… Son of Marcelo Quiroga and Angelica Hinojosa… Has one sister, Constanza Quiroga, who joined the Eastern Michigan women's program ahead of the 2026-27 season… Exercise Science major.
Parin Sarasmut
Y-1 • 5-8
Bangkok, Thailand / Srinakharinwirot HS
EMU: Comes to Ypsilanti as a top 100-ranked player in the World Amateur Golf Rankings (WAGR)… Has been ranked as high as No. 76 over the past two years… HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Srinakharinwirot University Prasarnmit Demonstration School… Member of the Thai National Team from 2023-25… Twice won the Ciputra Golfpreneur Junior World Championship in Indonesia with titles captured in 2023 and 2026… Added titles at the SINGHA-KRUNGTHAI Junior Golf Championship in 2025 and the 2023 SINGHA Thailand Amateur Open… Played in The Royal Junior in Japan on two occasions, finishing second in 2025 and fourth in 2026… Finished as the runner-up in several events, including the 2025 FCG International Junior Championship in the U.S., the 2024 Golf APGC UAE Cup, and the 2022 FCG Callaway World Championship in the U.S.… Placed second at the 2022 Amateur of All Thailand Golf Tour's SINGHA Classic, his first professional-level tournament… Returned to the SINGHA Classic in 2024 and tied for fourth place while finishing as the top amateur in the field… PERSONAL: Full Name: Parin Sarasmut… Son of Prin Sarasmut and Oumporn Chalermsakulrat… Has one sister… Sport Management major.
Ben Sessions
Y-1 • 6-1
Dunmow, Essex, United Kingdom / The Bishop's Stortford HS
HIGH SCHOOL: Attended The Bishop's Stortford High School… Has competed throughout Europe and in the United States in his prep career… In 2026, won the Sir Henry Cooper Championship and added four other top 10 showings… Helped England to the title at the 2026 Girls and Boys Home Internationals, a match-play event held in Scotland… It marked the second consecutive year he was on the winning English team after claiming the crown in Ireland one year earlier… Tied for 45th in the stroke play portion of the European Boys Team Championships in Spain before helping the sixth-seeded English to a runner-up finish in match play where he was 1-1-1 in his matches… In 2025, finished third at the Spain U18 International Championships after also taking third at the English Boys Open Amateur (Carris Trophy)… PERSONAL: Full Name: Ben Stephen Joseph Sessions… Son of David Sessions and Lee Anne Conquest… Has one sister, Amy Sessions… Undeclared major.
Felipe Suarez
Y-2 • 6-2
Cordoba, Argentina / La Santisima Trinidad HS / Missouri Valley College
Awards & Honors:
2025-26 NAIA Phil Mickelson Outstanding Men's Golf Freshman of the Year
2025-26 NAIA All-American First Team
2025-26 Heart of America Conference Golfer of the Year
2025-26 Heart of America Conference Freshman of the Year
2025-26 All-Heart of America Conference First Team
2025-26 Heart of American Conference Individual Champion
6x Individual Medalist in 2025-26
2x NAIA Men's Golfer of the Week
5x Heart of America Conference Golfer of the Week
Collegiate Tournaments Won (6):
2026 Heart of America Conference Championship – April 27-28, 2026 (w/Missouri Valley)
2026 CBC Spring Invitational – March 16-17, 2026 (w/Missouri Valley)
2026 Texas Invitational – Feb. 23-24, 2026 (w/Missouri Valley)
2025 Heart of America Conference Preview – Oct. 20-21, 2025 (w/Missouri Valley)
2025 Pioneer Prairie Classic – Oct. 12-14, 2025 (w/Missouri Valley)
2025 Missouri Valley College Fall Invitational – Sept. 8-9, 2025 (w/Missouri Valley)
EMU: Comes to Ypsilanti after one season at Missouri Valley College and will have four years of eligibility remaining… Named the 2025-26 NAIA Phil Mickelson Outstanding Men's Golf Freshman of the Year and an NAIA All-American… Won six times in 11 tournaments, including the Heart of America Conference crown… MISSOURI VALLEY: Attended Missouri Valley College for one year and helped the Vikings to their most successful campaign in program history… Helped the team to only its second Heart of America Conference team title and a 14th-place finish at the NAIA Championships in only the second appearance in the event by MVC… Finished 14th at the NAIA Championships to earn NAIA All-America First Team honors… Selected as the recipient of the 2025-26 NAIA Phil Mickelson Outstanding Freshman of the Year honor… Won six times on the season with his last coming at the HOAC Championships where his 10-under score gave him the individual victory by four strokes… Named the HOAC Golfer of the Year, HOAC Freshman of the Year, and All-HOAC First Team… Captured titles at the MVC Fall Invitational (17-under), Pioneer Prairie Classic (12-under), HOAC Preview (6-under), and Texas Invitational (5-under) before taking the conference crown… Also added a pair of runner-up finishes… Finished the season ranked No. 3 in the Scoreboard/Clippd NAIA rankings (June 8)… Over the summer break, he finished fifth at the Amador de Golfe do Brasil event… HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Instituto la Santisima Trinidad… Recorded four top 10 finishes in his native Argentina prior to heading to Missouri Valley College… Was the runner-up at the El Federal and added a fifth-place showing at the XVIII Campeonato Abierto el Potrerillo de Larretta… In 2024, he competed in several events and placed among the top 10 seven times, including second-place finishes at the Campeonato Argention de Menores, the Torneo Nacional de Menores, and the Campeonato Abierto del Centro… Was eighth at the Toyota Junior World Cup in Japan… Competed once in the U.S. and placed 28th at the Junior Orange Bowl International… PERSONAL: Full Name: Felipe Suarez… Son of Fernando and Eugenia Suarez… Has two sisters, Emilia and Franca… Business Administration major.
"I'm very excited to welcome five new student-athletes to Eagle Nation," Walker said. "This group brings an incredible combination of talent, experience, toughness, and a proven ability to win at a high level. These six newcomers join a returning group led by Charlie Box (MAC Player of the Year), Robby Turnbull (MAC Freshman of the Year), and Joshua Hess (All-MAC). Put it all together and we believe we have assembled one of the deepest and most competitive lineups in college golf."
The three first-year players include Quiroga (Coachabamba, Bolivia/Tiquipaya School), Sarasmut (Bangkok, Thailand/Srinakharinwirot University), and Sessions (Dunmow, Essex, UK/The Bishop's Stortford). Under the new age-based eligibility model established by the NCAA earlier this year, all three individuals will enter the season with five years of eligibility.
Quiroga, who enters the collegiate season ranked No. 75 in the World Amateur Golf Rankings (WAGR), has been ranked as high as No. 68 on the list while playing over 60 tournaments in the past four years. A top 10 finisher in 51-of-63 events played, he captured 18 titles while finishing second 17 times and collecting a top finish in 46 total competitions. In 2026 alone, he won six times, including three won the Vuelta Bolivia, a major national junior and amateur golf circuit in his home nation, while adding the Bolivia Junior Open crown. He also added top 40 finishes in a pair of international events, including 20th at the South American Amateur and 38th at the Latin American Amateur Championships. He will be one of two Quirogas playing golf at Eastern Michigan this year as his sister, Constanza, has transferred into the women's program.
"Vicente comes to us from Bolivia and, like Parin Sarasmut, is arriving straight from the U.S. Amateur," Walker stated. "Vicente is one of the highest-ranked players ever recruited to the MAC and his personality is every bit as big as his 320+ yard drives. Most importantly, Vicente has made winning a habit with 12 victories during the 2025-26 seasons. He brings tremendous talent, confidence, and energy to our program and, like all three of our freshmen, will have an opportunity to make an immediate impact in our lineup."
Sarasmut, who is No. 93 on the latest WAGR listing, has been ranked as high as No. 76 internationally while playing for the Thai National team the past two years. A two-time winner of the Golfpreneur Junior World Championship with titles in 2023 and 2026, he has added medalist honors at the 2025 Thai Junior Golf Championships and the 2023 SINGHA Thailand Amateur Open. The runner-up at The Royal Junior in Japan in 2025 and fourth-place finisher in 2026, Sarasmut has added second-place showings at a handful of international competitions, including the 2025 FCG International Junior Championship in the U.S., the 2024 Golf APGC UAE Cup, and the 2022 FCG Callaway World Championship that was played in the U.S.
"Parin is among the top 100 in the world rankings and arrives in Ypsilanti straight from competing in the U.S. Amateur," Walker said. "He adds that experience to an already impressive summer that included a win at the Golfpreneur Junior World Championship and an eighth-place finish at the Toyota Junior World Cup. Parin is someone who simply knows how to golf and compete at the highest level. Beyond his worldwide success, one of the things I love most about Parin is how much he competes. He probably plays as much tournament golf as any junior player in the world. His ability to constantly adapt to different courses, conditions, and competition—and still find ways to be successful—is exactly the mentality we want to define our culture."
Ranked among the top five on the European U18 lists, Sessions added four top 10 finishes to his victory of the Sir Henry Cooper Junior Masters in 2026 while also helping the combined English team win the Girls and Boys Home International match-play event in Scotland for the second consecutive year. Among the top 50 in the European Boys Team Championships in Spain as an individual, he helped his nation, who was the six-seed in the tournament, reach the finals in match play for a silver medal.
"Ben arrives in Ypsilanti playing some of the best golf of his career," Walker said. "He recently made a run to the Elite Eight at the R&A Boys' Amateur and, earlier this summer, won the Sir Henry Cooper Junior Masters after opening the tournament with rounds of 62 and 67. Ben comes to us directly from the prestigious Jacques Léglise Trophy, where he represented Great Britain & Ireland against Continental Europe. Ben has proven that he can compete with the best junior players in the world and we're excited to see him bring that experience to Eagle Nation."
Along with the three first-year players, the program also added a pair of accomplished transfers in Areephun (Chiang Rai, Thailand/Samakkhivittayakhom/Delaware) and Suarez (Cordoba, Argentina/La Santisima Trinidad/Missouri Valley College). Under the new eligibility rules, Areephun has one year of eligibility remaining while Suarez has four remaining.
"We're also welcoming two proven transfers who add experience, leadership, and even more depth to what we believe can be one of the deepest teams in college golf," Walker said.
Areephun was a three-year member of the Blue Hens program and captured one individual title after capturing the 2025 Blue Hen Intercollegiate after shooting 7-under 209. In his 30 tournament appearances, he collected 13 total top 10 showings, including six finishes among the top five as well. A two-time Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) and three-time Conference USA golfer of the week, Areephun earned a spot on the 2025-26 All-Conference USA Second Team after tying for 11th at the conference event.
Prior to his time with Delaware, Areephun competed for the Thai National team and helped the team to a pair of medals at the SEA Games, including the silver in 2022 and the gold in 2023. A winner of several national team ranking tournaments, he placed ninth at the 2023 SINGHA Thailand Amateur Open and the SINGHA Thailand Amateur Match Play Championships.
"Arsit was Delaware's No. 1 player and arrived in Ypsilanti in great form," Walker continued. "Just this past week, he won the Great Lakes Amateur here in Michigan at 14-under, closing with a 66 to win by three shots. Arsit brings much-needed experience along with one of the best golf swings I've seen in a long time. I expect him to compete near the top of our lineup and I'm equally excited about the veteran leadership he will bring to our team."
Suarez was one of the top players in the NAIA during the 2025-26 season as the then-first-year player captured six victories in the 11 tournaments he played with a pair of runner-up finishes added to the list for Missouri Valley College. In his lone season with the Vikings, Suarez finished the season ranked No. 3 in the final Scoreboard/Clippd NAIA rankings and collected numerous awards, including being named the 2025-26 NAIA Phil Mickelson Outstanding Men's Golf Freshman of the Year, the Heart of America Conference Golfer of the Year, and the Heart of America Conference Freshman of the Year. The winner of the individual title at the Heart of America Conference Championships, he was named to the 2025-26 NAIA All-America First Team and the 2025-26 All-Heart of America Conference First Team.
A five-time conference golfer of the week and two-time national golfer of the week, Suarez, who is ranked among the top 300 in the WAGR, earned medalist honors in his second collegiate event as he captured the MVC Fall Invitational with a 17-under 199 after shooting rounds of 65, 68, and 66 to run away with the title. Two events later, he shot 12-under 201 (69-66-66) to win the Pioneer Prairie Classic to start a run of four consecutive wins that included crowns at the Heart of America Preview, the Texas Invitational, and the CBC Spring Invitational. He followed with a pair of second-place showings before capturing the conference title with a 10-under 206. All told, he played 32 rounds on the year and shot at or below par 25 times with 16 rounds in the 60s for the Vikings.
"Felipe was the nation's top freshmen in the NAIA, earning the Phil Mickelson Outstanding Freshman Award," Walker said. "He is no stranger to low numbers or winning college golf tournaments, recording six victories and two runner-up finishes during the 2025-26 season. Felipe is also playing well, noted by his recent 5th place at the Brazilian Amateur Championship. He adds another level of depth and toughness to our team, and it's going to be a lot of fun coaching Felipe over the next four years."
All five newcomers have arrived on campus and are set to represent the Eagles in a national schedule.
"With the men on campus, now comes the fun part," Walker said. "(Assistant) Coach Ryan Yip and I can't wait to start qualifying and watch these guys compete for their spots in the lineup. Nothing will be given. With this much talent and competitiveness throughout the roster, they're going to have to earn it every day—and that's exactly the kind of culture we want at Eastern Michigan."
Getting Started
The first tournament of the 2026-27 season awaits the Eagles Sept. 7-8 when they travel to Whirlwind Golf Club at Wild Horse Pass in Chandler, Ariz., to compete in the Bombs Darts Birdies Collegiate, hosted by the University of Southern California.
Follow the Eagles
Stay up-to-date on all things Eastern Michigan Golf by following the Eagles on social media. The team can be found on X at EMU_Golf and on Instagram at EasternMichiganMensGolf.
2026-27 Eastern Michigan Men's Golf Additions
Arsit Areephun • Fifth Year • 5-11 • Chiang Rai, Thailand / Samakkhivittayakhom HS / Delaware
Vicente Quiroga • First Year • 6-0 • Cochabamba, Bolivia / Tiquipaya School
Parin Sarasmut • First Year • 5-8 • Bangkok, Thailand / Srinakharinwirot University HS
Ben Sessions • First Year • 6-1 • Dunmow, Essex, United Kingdom / The Bishop's Stortford HS
Felipe Suarez • Second Year • 6-2 • Cordoba, Argentina / La Santisima Trinidad HS / Missouri Valley College
2026-27 Eastern Michigan Men's Golf Newcomers Biographies
Arsit Areephun
Y-5 • 5-11
Chiang Rai, Thailand / Samakkhivittayakhom HS / Delaware
Awards & Honors:
2025-26 All-Conference USA Second Team
3x Conference USA Golfer of the Week (2025-26)
2x Coastal Athletic Association Golfer of the Week (2023-24)
1x Individual Collegiate Medalist (2025 Blue Hen Intercollegiate/Sept. 15-16)
2025-26 Conference USA Academic Honor Roll
2024-25 Coastal Athletic Association Fall Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll
2023-24 Coastal Athletic Association Fall & Spring Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll
EMU: Joins the Eastern program in 2026-27 with one year of eligibility remaining... Played in a pair of pro events in Thailand before arriving on campus, including a 35th-place showing at the SINGHA Classic… DELAWARE: Competed for the Blue Hens for three seasons and was a one-time All-CUSA honoree… Captured one individual tournament title and earned numerous conference academic accolades… 2025-26: Named to the All-CUSA Second Team after leading the Blue Hens with a 71.1 season stroke average while collecting four top 10 finishes in his 10 tournament appearances… Won his first collegiate tournament after shooting 7-under to win the Blue Hen Intercollegiate (Sept. 15-16)… Added second-place finishes at the Rutherford Intercollegiate and the PGA WORKS Collegiate Championship… Shot a program-record 132 (67-65) at the Palmas del Mar Collegiate… 2024-25: Played in 10 tournaments on the year, averaging 73.2 strokes per orund… Posted a season-best finish of tied for fifth after shooting 5-under at the Bryan National Collegiate… Shot 64 in the second round of the Mobile Bay Intercollegiate to tie the program record for low single round… 2023-24: Appeared in 10 tournaments in his first collegiate season… Led the team with a 71.9 stroke average while finishing in the top 10 a team-high five times… Fired a two-round score of 132 (67-65) at the Loyola Intercollegiate to set the program's 36-hole record… Finished tied for second at the Loyola event with a 12-under score… Twice named the CAA Golfer of the Week… HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Samakkhi Wittayakhom School where he was a one-year starter and captain… Member of the Thai National golf team… Was a member of the 2022 Sea Games silver medalist team and the 2023 Sea Games gold medalist team… Played in five National Team Ranking events in 2023 and finished in the top four in all five as he won the third stop and took second in the second and fifth events… Ninth place at the 2023 SINGHA Thailand Amateur Match Play Championships… during the 2022 season, placed second at the SINGHA Thailand Amateur Open and the SINGHA Thailand Amateur Match Play Championships… Won the National Team Ranking events twice… PERSONAL: Full Name: Arsit Areephun… Son of Aphisorn and Anchalee Areephun… ISP major.
Vicente Quiroga
Y-1 • 6-0
Cochabamba, Bolivia / Tiquipaya School & Panamerican Success
EMU: Comes to Ypsilanti as a top 100-ranked player in the World Amateur Golf Rankings (WAGR)… Has been ranked as high as No. 68 over the past two years…
HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Tiquipaya School and Panamerican Success… Has been ranked among the top 100 in the World Amateur Golf Rankings for much of the 2025 and 2026 calendar years and climbed as high as No. 68 (July 2026)… In the past four years (2023-26), he competed in 63 tournaments and earned a top 10 finish 51 times, including 18 victories, 17 runner-up showings, and 46 total top 5 placements… In 2026, he captured six titles, including three on the Vuelta Bolivia, a major national junior and amateur golf circuit, while adding wins at the Local Country Club Cochabamba, Local Las Palmas, and the Bolivia Junior Open… Added a 20th-place finish at the Abierto Sundamerican Amateur Championship and was 38th at the Latin American Amateur Championship… The 2025 season saw him collect six wins, including three more Vuelta Bolivia events to go along with the Candy Hannemann AJGC IPA Junior Championship in Brazil among others… He also was the runner-up at the Campeonato Sundamericano Juvenil and 17th at the Latin America Amateur… PERSONAL: Full Name: Vicente Quiroga… Son of Marcelo Quiroga and Angelica Hinojosa… Has one sister, Constanza Quiroga, who joined the Eastern Michigan women's program ahead of the 2026-27 season… Exercise Science major.
Parin Sarasmut
Y-1 • 5-8
Bangkok, Thailand / Srinakharinwirot HS
EMU: Comes to Ypsilanti as a top 100-ranked player in the World Amateur Golf Rankings (WAGR)… Has been ranked as high as No. 76 over the past two years… HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Srinakharinwirot University Prasarnmit Demonstration School… Member of the Thai National Team from 2023-25… Twice won the Ciputra Golfpreneur Junior World Championship in Indonesia with titles captured in 2023 and 2026… Added titles at the SINGHA-KRUNGTHAI Junior Golf Championship in 2025 and the 2023 SINGHA Thailand Amateur Open… Played in The Royal Junior in Japan on two occasions, finishing second in 2025 and fourth in 2026… Finished as the runner-up in several events, including the 2025 FCG International Junior Championship in the U.S., the 2024 Golf APGC UAE Cup, and the 2022 FCG Callaway World Championship in the U.S.… Placed second at the 2022 Amateur of All Thailand Golf Tour's SINGHA Classic, his first professional-level tournament… Returned to the SINGHA Classic in 2024 and tied for fourth place while finishing as the top amateur in the field… PERSONAL: Full Name: Parin Sarasmut… Son of Prin Sarasmut and Oumporn Chalermsakulrat… Has one sister… Sport Management major.
Ben Sessions
Y-1 • 6-1
Dunmow, Essex, United Kingdom / The Bishop's Stortford HS
HIGH SCHOOL: Attended The Bishop's Stortford High School… Has competed throughout Europe and in the United States in his prep career… In 2026, won the Sir Henry Cooper Championship and added four other top 10 showings… Helped England to the title at the 2026 Girls and Boys Home Internationals, a match-play event held in Scotland… It marked the second consecutive year he was on the winning English team after claiming the crown in Ireland one year earlier… Tied for 45th in the stroke play portion of the European Boys Team Championships in Spain before helping the sixth-seeded English to a runner-up finish in match play where he was 1-1-1 in his matches… In 2025, finished third at the Spain U18 International Championships after also taking third at the English Boys Open Amateur (Carris Trophy)… PERSONAL: Full Name: Ben Stephen Joseph Sessions… Son of David Sessions and Lee Anne Conquest… Has one sister, Amy Sessions… Undeclared major.
Felipe Suarez
Y-2 • 6-2
Cordoba, Argentina / La Santisima Trinidad HS / Missouri Valley College
Awards & Honors:
2025-26 NAIA Phil Mickelson Outstanding Men's Golf Freshman of the Year
2025-26 NAIA All-American First Team
2025-26 Heart of America Conference Golfer of the Year
2025-26 Heart of America Conference Freshman of the Year
2025-26 All-Heart of America Conference First Team
2025-26 Heart of American Conference Individual Champion
6x Individual Medalist in 2025-26
2x NAIA Men's Golfer of the Week
5x Heart of America Conference Golfer of the Week
Collegiate Tournaments Won (6):
2026 Heart of America Conference Championship – April 27-28, 2026 (w/Missouri Valley)
2026 CBC Spring Invitational – March 16-17, 2026 (w/Missouri Valley)
2026 Texas Invitational – Feb. 23-24, 2026 (w/Missouri Valley)
2025 Heart of America Conference Preview – Oct. 20-21, 2025 (w/Missouri Valley)
2025 Pioneer Prairie Classic – Oct. 12-14, 2025 (w/Missouri Valley)
2025 Missouri Valley College Fall Invitational – Sept. 8-9, 2025 (w/Missouri Valley)
EMU: Comes to Ypsilanti after one season at Missouri Valley College and will have four years of eligibility remaining… Named the 2025-26 NAIA Phil Mickelson Outstanding Men's Golf Freshman of the Year and an NAIA All-American… Won six times in 11 tournaments, including the Heart of America Conference crown… MISSOURI VALLEY: Attended Missouri Valley College for one year and helped the Vikings to their most successful campaign in program history… Helped the team to only its second Heart of America Conference team title and a 14th-place finish at the NAIA Championships in only the second appearance in the event by MVC… Finished 14th at the NAIA Championships to earn NAIA All-America First Team honors… Selected as the recipient of the 2025-26 NAIA Phil Mickelson Outstanding Freshman of the Year honor… Won six times on the season with his last coming at the HOAC Championships where his 10-under score gave him the individual victory by four strokes… Named the HOAC Golfer of the Year, HOAC Freshman of the Year, and All-HOAC First Team… Captured titles at the MVC Fall Invitational (17-under), Pioneer Prairie Classic (12-under), HOAC Preview (6-under), and Texas Invitational (5-under) before taking the conference crown… Also added a pair of runner-up finishes… Finished the season ranked No. 3 in the Scoreboard/Clippd NAIA rankings (June 8)… Over the summer break, he finished fifth at the Amador de Golfe do Brasil event… HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Instituto la Santisima Trinidad… Recorded four top 10 finishes in his native Argentina prior to heading to Missouri Valley College… Was the runner-up at the El Federal and added a fifth-place showing at the XVIII Campeonato Abierto el Potrerillo de Larretta… In 2024, he competed in several events and placed among the top 10 seven times, including second-place finishes at the Campeonato Argention de Menores, the Torneo Nacional de Menores, and the Campeonato Abierto del Centro… Was eighth at the Toyota Junior World Cup in Japan… Competed once in the U.S. and placed 28th at the Junior Orange Bowl International… PERSONAL: Full Name: Felipe Suarez… Son of Fernando and Eugenia Suarez… Has two sisters, Emilia and Franca… Business Administration major.
Players Mentioned
/ Men's Golf
/ Men's Golf
/ Men's Golf
/ Men's Golf
/ Men's Golf
/ Men's Golf
/ Men's Golf
/ Men's Golf
Saturday, May 02
Tuesday, April 21
Wednesday, February 25
Monday, December 01