SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- When USC Upstate freshman Ross Wright stepped to the tee at the Big South Men's Golf Championship, he was more than just a first-year golfer trying to contribute. He was a full-fledged competitor shaped by experiences across multiple continents, ready for the moment—and his performance helped deliver the Spartans their first-ever conference title.

Born in Bangkok and raised across four countries—including Kuwait, Indonesia, Thailand, and the United States—Wright's path to Spartanburg is anything but typical. His global upbringing has given him a unique perspective on the game.

"I've been fortunate enough to play golf in many places," Wright said. "Courses in Thailand are challenging but more forgiving. In the U.S., the courses are narrower and expose your weaknesses. There's a premium on doing the little things right."

That attention to detail helped Wright earn a spot on the 2025 Big South All-Freshman Team. He played in nine tournaments during the regular season, showing steady improvement throughout the spring. After failing to crack the top 25 in his first five events, he finished inside the top 25 three times in his last four outings—including an overall fifth-place finish at the Big South Championship.

"I started asking myself, 'What can I do better?'" Wright said. "The answer was to focus on the little things, fine-tune what I do well, and not overcomplicate the process. I've stuck with that, even doubled down on it—and it's worked."

Wright's breakout performance came when it mattered most. He set the tone early in match play at the Big South Championship at Ocean Creek Golf Course, delivering the first point in the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds. His 2&1 win over Charleston Southern's Theodor Takman and 4&3 win against High Point's Burch Harrison helped propel Upstate to the title—and a historic trip to NCAA Regionals in Auburn.

"Ross is dedicated to getting better every day," said Head Coach Todd Lawton. "He works hard and smart. He believes in his approach, and it's paying off. It's easy to love coaching a player like Ross."

Wright credits his growth in part to his teammates and their example.

"My teammates have been tremendous," he said. "I've learned so much from watching them, asking questions, seeing the little things they do well, and applying them to my game."

His maturity and work ethic are grounded in family. His father, Chris, is Australian and works in offshore engineering, while his mother, Sophana, is from Thailand. Wright is following in his dad's footsteps academically—studying industrial engineering at USC Upstate.

"I've grown up around it, hearing my dad talk about it at home or with coworkers," he said. "It fascinates me. And seeing him go to work at 4:30 in the morning or head out to the rig—that's where my work ethic comes from."

Wright chose USC Upstate to carve out his own path, saying he wanted to "build my own story."

"I met Coach Lawton, saw the facilities—it all made sense. Coach has a history of developing great golfers, and I love learning from him."

Wright hopes to pass that student-of-the-game mindset to the next generation of Spartans.

"My advice is to take it one day at a time," he said. "Be ready to put in the work and surround yourself with people who push you to be better. It's going to work out."

Wright and the Spartans head to the NCAA Auburn Regional from May 12–14, ready to compete on one of the biggest stages in college golf. For Wright, it's the next chapter in a story just starting.