La Salle graduate student Logan Paczewski enters the 2026-2027 season after adding another milestone to a collegiate golf journey that has taken him through Rutgers, George Mason, and ultimately La Salle.
The Dallas, Pennsylvania, native competed in the 126th U.S. Amateur Championship this summer, becoming the third Explorer in program history to compete in the championship and just the second to do so while attending La Salle. Paczewski shot matching rounds of 73 to finish tied for 143rd in the 312-player field.
Career Highlights
• Competed in the 2026 U.S. Amateur Championship
• T143 at the U.S. Amateur after rounds of 73 and 73
• Best U.S. Amateur finish by a La Salle player in program history
• Fourth at the 2024 WVU Nemacolin Collegiate Invitational while at George Mason
• Two additional top 35 finishes during his time at Rutgers
• 2022 Pennsylvania Boys Junior Championship winner
• Semifinalist at the 2022 BMW Philadelphia Amateur
• Collegiate experience at Rutgers, George Mason and La Salle
Growing Up Around the Game
Paczewski began competing in golf tournaments at just six years old. Growing up in Dallas, Pennsylvania, he played several sports, including baseball, basketball and soccer, but golf developed into something he particularly enjoyed sharing with his father.
He also grew up competing alongside a talented group of junior golfers in the Philadelphia area. Paczewski recalled regularly playing with Garrett Engle, Josh Ryan and Ben James, among others, and said his love for competition has remained with him throughout his career.
His junior career eventually included winning the 2022 Pennsylvania Boys Junior Championship and reaching the semifinals of the BMW Philadelphia Amateur that same year.
A Unique Collegiate Journey
Paczewski’s path through college golf has been anything but conventional.
He originally committed to Rutgers during the COVID era, when recruiting visits and traditional evaluations were limited. After his time with the Scarlet Knights, he transferred to George Mason, where he later finished fourth at the 2024 WVU Nemacolin Collegiate Invitational.
Paczewski eventually stepped away from college golf while completing school online. The break gave him time to evaluate his game and focus on areas he wanted to improve. He did not initially expect to return to college competition, but an opportunity at La Salle emerged through his friend and teammate Billy Pabst.
Now back in collegiate golf as a graduate student, Paczewski is making the most of his final opportunity.
Making La Salle History at the U.S. Amateur
One of the biggest moments of Paczewski’s career came through an unlikely path this summer.
Paczewski initially finished as the second alternate at his U.S. Amateur qualifier. His longtime friend Josh Ryan qualified from the same site before later earning an exemption by winning the Pennsylvania Amateur. That moved Paczewski up the alternate list and ultimately into the U.S. Amateur field.
At Philadelphia Country Club and Merion Golf Club, Paczewski posted consecutive rounds of 73. His 6 over total placed him tied for 143rd and represented the best finish by a La Salle golfer in U.S. Amateur history.
Interview Highlights with CGN
Learning Through Transfers
Paczewski’s experiences at multiple programs have taught him about the challenges that come with transferring. He emphasized that adjusting to a new school can affect a player’s golf initially and believes confidence and patience are important during that transition.
Returning to College Golf
After spending time away from collegiate competition, Paczewski decided another season was an opportunity worth pursuing. As he explained during his CGN interview, his outlook was simple: if the opportunity to continue playing college golf is there, make the most of it.
An Unusual Short Game Technique
One of the more distinctive parts of Paczewski’s game is his one handed chipping technique. He chips using only his right hand, an approach that began while experimenting around the practice green and eventually became something he trusted enough to use in competition.
Goals at La Salle
Paczewski wants to help La Salle earn a tournament victory during the fall season. He also identified finishing inside the top 200 as an important team goal for the year.
CGN Angle
Logan Paczewski’s collegiate career is a story of persistence and taking advantage of opportunities.
His path has included three college programs, time away from collegiate competition and an unlikely route into the U.S. Amateur. Rather than following a traditional progression, Paczewski continued finding ways to compete and improve.
Now at La Salle for his final collegiate season, he has already made program history and has another opportunity to make an impact on a team looking to build momentum in 2026 to 2027.
Sources
Logan Paczewski La Salle Player Profile
La Salle: Logan Paczewski Makes History at 126th U.S. Amateur Championship
Logan Paczewski, LaSalle Interview | CGN