Kansas State University Athletics
K-State Men’s Golf Signs Three for 2026-27
Nov 12, 2025 | Men's Golf
MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State head men's golf coach Grant Robbins announced Wednesday the signing of two European players and one from the Greater Kansas City area who will join the Wildcats for the 2026-27 season.
The new players consist of Peyton Smith (Lee's Summit, Missouri), Oscar Stendahl (Myggenäs, Sweden) and Joshua Thompson (Surrey, England).
"We are very excited about this class," Robbins said. "I think what really stands out is how highly each of these players are ranked and the success they have all had on the national and international level. They are all not only very talented but are great people that will represent Kansas State well. Top to bottom, this is one of the strongest overall classes we have had here, and we can't wait to get them here and start working with them."
Smith, who preps at Summit Christian Academy, is the top-ranked player in the state of Missouri by Junior Golf Scoreboard, while the organization ranks him No. 52 in the nation thanks in part to winning three Missouri Class 4 state individual championships. He was the 2025 Kansas Junior Amateur Champion after recording three-straight rounds of 68, while he advanced to match play in the 2025 U.S. Junior Amateur. Smith also won the 2024 American Golf Coaches Association (AJGA) Roper Honda Junior Invitational thanks to a final-round total of 64 and earned a runner-up finish in the 2024 AJGA Bass Pro Junior.
"Peyton is an extremely talented player that knows how to win," Robbins said. "He is an intense competitor that has experienced success on the state, regional and national level. A great driver of the ball, he is also very good with his wedges and can be a clutch putter. Peyton has a strong work ethic, is a great student, and his overall competitiveness definitely sets him apart. We were very excited to get his commitment, and we can't wait to get him here."
A member of the Swedish National Team, Stendahl is ranked 45th in the U18 European Amateur Golf Rankings. He represented his country in the 2025 European Team Championships, while he advanced to the semifinals of the 2025 British Boys Championship. Stendahl won the 2025 JMI Swedish Amateur Final thanks to shooting a 69 in each of the final two rounds, and he tied for third in the 2025 JSM Swedish Amateur.
"Oscar was someone I saw at the British Boys this summer that really impressed me with all areas of his game," Robbins said. "He is rock solid from tee to green and has an amazing touch around the greens. Like Peyton, Oscar also has a competitive fire in him, which was on display when he advanced all the way to the semifinals of the British Boys after being well under par in each match. He has competed in some big events all over Europe, and his experience playing for his country should help him make the transition to college golf much smoother."
Thompson, ranked No. 39 in the U18 European Amateur Golf Rankings, is a member of the English National Team. He advanced to match play in the 2025 British Boys Championship, finished fourth in both the 2025 English U18 Championship (7-under par 281) and 2025 Tillman Trophy, while he earned a runner-up showing at the 2024 Faldo Tour Finals.
"Josh is someone we have been following for over a year now," Robbins said. "What really impressed me watching him play is his ball striking. He is an excellent driver of the ball with a combination of distance and accuracy that is going to be a huge asset to him at the next level. He is very competitive, an excellent student and his charismatic personality will make him a great fit on our team."
The Wildcats return to action in the 2025-26 season by taking part in The Prestige, February 16-18, at PGA WEST in La Quinta, California.
The new players consist of Peyton Smith (Lee's Summit, Missouri), Oscar Stendahl (Myggenäs, Sweden) and Joshua Thompson (Surrey, England).
"We are very excited about this class," Robbins said. "I think what really stands out is how highly each of these players are ranked and the success they have all had on the national and international level. They are all not only very talented but are great people that will represent Kansas State well. Top to bottom, this is one of the strongest overall classes we have had here, and we can't wait to get them here and start working with them."
Smith, who preps at Summit Christian Academy, is the top-ranked player in the state of Missouri by Junior Golf Scoreboard, while the organization ranks him No. 52 in the nation thanks in part to winning three Missouri Class 4 state individual championships. He was the 2025 Kansas Junior Amateur Champion after recording three-straight rounds of 68, while he advanced to match play in the 2025 U.S. Junior Amateur. Smith also won the 2024 American Golf Coaches Association (AJGA) Roper Honda Junior Invitational thanks to a final-round total of 64 and earned a runner-up finish in the 2024 AJGA Bass Pro Junior.
"Peyton is an extremely talented player that knows how to win," Robbins said. "He is an intense competitor that has experienced success on the state, regional and national level. A great driver of the ball, he is also very good with his wedges and can be a clutch putter. Peyton has a strong work ethic, is a great student, and his overall competitiveness definitely sets him apart. We were very excited to get his commitment, and we can't wait to get him here."
A member of the Swedish National Team, Stendahl is ranked 45th in the U18 European Amateur Golf Rankings. He represented his country in the 2025 European Team Championships, while he advanced to the semifinals of the 2025 British Boys Championship. Stendahl won the 2025 JMI Swedish Amateur Final thanks to shooting a 69 in each of the final two rounds, and he tied for third in the 2025 JSM Swedish Amateur.
"Oscar was someone I saw at the British Boys this summer that really impressed me with all areas of his game," Robbins said. "He is rock solid from tee to green and has an amazing touch around the greens. Like Peyton, Oscar also has a competitive fire in him, which was on display when he advanced all the way to the semifinals of the British Boys after being well under par in each match. He has competed in some big events all over Europe, and his experience playing for his country should help him make the transition to college golf much smoother."
Thompson, ranked No. 39 in the U18 European Amateur Golf Rankings, is a member of the English National Team. He advanced to match play in the 2025 British Boys Championship, finished fourth in both the 2025 English U18 Championship (7-under par 281) and 2025 Tillman Trophy, while he earned a runner-up showing at the 2024 Faldo Tour Finals.
"Josh is someone we have been following for over a year now," Robbins said. "What really impressed me watching him play is his ball striking. He is an excellent driver of the ball with a combination of distance and accuracy that is going to be a huge asset to him at the next level. He is very competitive, an excellent student and his charismatic personality will make him a great fit on our team."
The Wildcats return to action in the 2025-26 season by taking part in The Prestige, February 16-18, at PGA WEST in La Quinta, California.
– k-statesports.com –
How to follow the Cats: For complete information on K-State Men's Golf, visit www.kstatesports.com and follow the team's social media channels on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Facebook.
How to follow the Cats: For complete information on K-State Men's Golf, visit www.kstatesports.com and follow the team's social media channels on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Facebook.
K-State Women's Golf | Carla Bernat ANWA Recognition
Tuesday, November 11
K-State Women's Golf | Behind The Scenes Photoshoot
Tuesday, November 11
K-State Men's Golf | Wildcat Invitational
Tuesday, November 11
K-State Men's Golf | Wildcat Invitational 2025 Recap
Thursday, September 11