GolfNewsRI

University of Rhode Island star golfers Luke Stennett and Tyler Bruneau have entered the transfer portal and are set to leave the program. 

“When you look at it from a program standpoint, both Luke and Tyler will go to programs that didn’t even look at them as junior golfers. URI developed them to a point they could make that move,” Head Coach Gregg Burke told GolfNewsRI.

They made the decision shortly after the Rams returned from a third place finish at the National Golf Invitational. 

“This is to be expected when you have players of their talent. We are the only school in the league without an indoor hitting facility of any kind and we are bound to raise about 75% of our total budget every year, plus raise money for capital items like our travel van, Trackman units, and the like,” said Burke.  

He continued, “But we are looking at the positives and what we have not what we lost.  We’re excited about the two players coming in, the immediate interest from players who want to transfer here and a great schedule. We also have a dynamic and accomplished new Athletic Director and a vibrant new Director of Athletic Development.  There are many positives.”  

Luke Stennett

Stennett recently earned PING All-Region honors for the second consecutive season, winning both the Sacred Heart Fall Classic and the Ryan Lee Memorial Collegiate. 

“Luke informed me that he was entering the NCAA Transfer Portal. I made it clear to him that I supported the decision 100% and pledged my support in finding him a new home as I did with Chris Francoeur. Luke will always be a Rhody Ram to me, but I truly believe this is the best thing in the world for him,” said Burke. 

Overall, Stennett played in 12 tournaments for URI in 2025-26 and helped lead the Rams to four team titles. 

He was named A-10 Rookie of the Year as a freshman.

“My decision to enter the transfer portal was really because of the offseason. The offseason in golf is so important for many reasons. It’s a time to grow, make changes, and prepare for the upcoming season. For me, it’s very tough hitting off mats into a screen and not being able to get the reps I personally need to go as far as I plan to in my career,” Stennett told GolfNewsRI. 

He added, “Coach Burke and Coach (Brandon) Gillis have been nothing but great to me. They helped me grow not only as a player, but more importantly as a person. As for my teammates, I truly don’t think I could’ve found a better group of guys. There was never a dull moment, and the memories I made with them are ones I’ll hold onto for the rest of my life. I can’t put into words how much I’ll miss everything URI has given to me.” 

In what turns out to be his final tournament as a Rhody Ram, Stennett finished in a tie for 33rd at the National Golf Invitational.

Tyler Bruneau

Bruneau is coming off a sophomore season in which he earned top five finishes at the Rutherford Intercollegiate (3rd), and the Sacred Heart Fall Classic (5th), as well as a top ten finish the Wykagyl Collegiate. 

The Rams earned team wins in two of those tournaments. 

“As Luke does, Tyler has my full support in this and everything he does for the rest of his life. He is one of my favorite athletes in any sport and at any time,” said Burke. 

He continued, “As I felt with Chris Francoeur, I think Tyler has a unique opportunity to play professional golf. He was our best player this year, but more importantly, our best golfer. He knows how to play the game of golf as well as anyone I’ve had in 15 years.” 

Bruneau got off to a blazing start at the National Golf Invitational, firing a first round 65 with four birdies and two eagles. 

He ended up finishing in a tie for 24th to close his URI career. 

“Ultimately, I decided to enter the portal to look for an opportunity to play at a school down south in a warmer climate. I am very thankful for my time at URI, I loved every bit of the two years that I was there. I really want to thank Coach Burke ad Coach Gillis for taking a chance on me and believing in my abilities coming out of high school and for make me the man I am now,” Bruneau told GolfNewsRI. 

Bruneau continued, “Most importantly, I want to thank my teammates. They made my experience at Rhody truly amazing and could not have asked for a better group of guys to spend the last two years with.” 

Future of URI Golf 

With Bruneau and Stennett departing, the Rams return seniors Sebastian Tony Liu, Josiah Tong, Sebastian Carlsson, Owen Rooney and Bennett Masterson. 

Liu and Tong were mainstays in the Rhody lineup for each of the last couple of seasons. 

Rhody will also be adding freshman Jack Quinn to the roster, as well as, New Jersey Junior Player of the Year Mihir Roperia. 

“We have some terrific players coming in and we will continue to represent the players who built this program with dignity and respect,” said Burke. 

The following season, URI will welcome Tanner LaTorre, Priyam Nayak and Michael McCormack. 

Rhody will also be doing some transfer portal shopping of their own. 

“We heard from several dozen players who wanted to discuss transferring to URI and I’ve begun investigating those folks and looking into portal possibilities. We have the next two classes committed and they are both great. We would look to players who would be sophomores, juniors, seniors, or a grad student,” said Burke.  

URI has been to the post season in each of the last two years, and will look to go for a third straight year in 2026-27.