Men's Golf

Georgia State Captures Men's Golf Title

Final Team Results | Final Individual Results
SAUCIER, Miss. - The Georgia State men's golf team survived a final round back-and-forth between the South Alabama Jaguars and UT Arlington Mavericks to capture its first Sun Belt Conference Men's Golf team title on Wednesday.

The Panthers who began the final round with a one-stroke lead fell back a bit in the morning as the Mavericks surged to a lead early in the round. Things then heated up as the Jaguars would begin their push as they would jump into the team lead with just a few holes to go late in the afternoon as USA reached nine-under with just two holes to play.

However, GSU was determined and battled to the end as they captured the team crown by just one stroke over the Jaguars. UTA was just two strokes back and finished third.

It marks the first team championship for GSU in the SBC after finishing as the runner-up in 2013.

Texas State's Stuart Smallwood shot even-par in the final round as he claimed the men's individual title with a three-round total of 208 (-8) which ties him for seventh all-time in SBC men's golf championship history. Smallwood shot 68-68-72 as he earned his first SBC title and led his Bobcats to a fifth place finish in the team standings.

Damon Stephenson of GSU and Tyler Klava of USA finished tied for second place in the individual race as the two finished at five-under par on the week. Teammates Fernando Cruz Valle and Thomas Strandemo of UL Lafayette finished fourth and fifth, respectively. Valle carded a three-round total of 212 (-4) and Strandemo 213 (-3).

J.J. Grey of GSU was fifth.

GSU will now await its fate as they have earned the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Regional Championships.

All-Tournament Team
Stuart Smallwood – Texas State
Damon Stephenson – Georgia State
Tyler Klava – South Alabmaa
Fernando Cruz Valle – UL Lafayette
Thomas Strandemo – UL Lafayette
J.J. Grey – Georgia State