In a stunning display of skill and determination, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff men’s golf team has claimed the SAS HBCU Invitational title for the second consecutive year. The tournament took place at Prestonwood Country Club in Cary, North, where the Golden triumphed over a competitive field of some of the best Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the country.
With a team score of +15 over par, UAPB finished eight strokes ahead of their closest competitor, Florida A&M University, who placed second with a score of +23 over par. Prairie View A&M secured third place at +47 over par, followed by North Carolina Central University in fourth at +51 over par, and Alabama State University rounding out the top five with a score of +63 over par.
“I’m very proud of our team performance, said UAPB head coach Roger Totten. ” Winning two consecutive invitationals against some good programs says a lot about our program. As we approached the season, the players knew that the key to success is believing in the program. I’m proud of the way our team played, especially Jonathon, who comes from a strong background in golf in his family but played with confidence.”
Standout Performances
Freshman standout Jonathon Baumann led the charge for UAPB, finishing the tournament as the outright champion with a score of even par (67, 72, 71—210). His exceptional performance not only highlights his talent but also signifies a promising future for the Golden Lions program.
Sophomore Jose Berenguel also impressed, securing a third-place finish with a score of +3 over par (74, 70, 69—213). Following closely behind was sophomore Jules De Reu, who ended the tournament in fourth place with a score of +5 over par (67, 74, 74—215). Additionally, Timur Alalin earned a spot in the top ten, placing seventh with a score of +7 over par (74, 75, 68—217).
Junior Angel Soria, despite finishing in 24th place with a score of +36 over par (83, 82, 81—246), noted a personal best performance on the final day of the tournament.
Looking ahead, the Golden Lions aim to sustain their momentum as they prepare to defend their title at the Bridgestone HBCU Championship, scheduled for October 22-25 in Suwanee, Georgia.