If you’re coming to Pacific in May for a campus tour or for Commencement, make sure to explore off-campus happenings as well. Stockton has become an area destination for sporting events and there will be lots of things to do this month.
- NCAA Division I Men’s Golf Regionals (May 14-18)
- “Night at the Ballpark” amateur disc golf (Saturday, May 14)
- OTB Open Disc Golf Pro Tour (May 20-22)
- West Coast Conference Baseball Championships (May 24-28)
Starting Commencement weekend Stockton will welcome top-ranked collegiate golfers for the NCAA men’s regionals at the Reserve at Spanos Park, an 18-hole course known for its picturesque golf experience for players of all levels.
University of the Pacific is partnering with Visit Stockton to host the men’s division regionals for the second time since 2018. The Reserve at Spanos Park is also home to Pacific’s state-of-the-art Walter Chang Golf and Learning Center which was opened in February of 2020.
For several years, Stockton has been building nationwide reputation as a host city for sport tourism bringing to town such renowned events as the Amgen Tour of California, golf regionals or water polo championships. Visit Stockton Director Wes Rhea attributes the success in securing those premiere events to several benefits Stockton has to offer. Geographical accessibility, hotel costs and over 300 days of sunshine top the list. He believes, however, that the quality of Stockton’s sport facilities is of paramount importance.
“Our facilities are great, the quality of the facilities drives those conversations a lot,” Rhea said. “For instance, we already know we’re hosting 2023 NCAA Women’s Water Polo National Championship at the Eberhardt Aquatics Center at Pacific.”
In the second half of May, we will see two more events highlighting Stockton as a sport tourism destination: a professional disc golf tournament and baseball championships.
If you have never experienced an engaging game of disc golf, do not miss OTB Open Disc Golf Pro Tour at the beautiful Swenson Park Golf Course. The rules are very similar to traditional golf, but the players score by throwing flying discs (Frisbees) to elevated metal baskets. Check out the video below to get an idea!
“The gallery that follows around these professional disc golfers is larger than anything I’ve seen,” Rhea said. “I mean, it is amazing! And the best disc golfers in the world come to Stockton for that event. It’s a really well-run event, a beautiful course that they lay out here with our local Delta Windjammers Disc Golf Club.”
Stockton’s Banner Island Ballpark, located on the downtown waterfront, will host the WCC Baseball Championships at the end of the month. The four-day event will feature the conference’s top six teams at the conclusion of regular-season play with the winner earning the title of the WCC champion and a bid to the NCAA tournament. So, come for the thrill of the game and for the beautiful views of the San Joaquin Delta.
Go to Visit Stockton’s website to learn more about these and upcoming sport events in Stockton.