UAPB Golf Wins Back to Back SWAC Titles
FLOWOOD, MS. – After winning the program’s first men’s golf conference title one year ago, the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff golf team repeated as the Southwestern Athletic Conference Champions at the Refuge Golf Course. The Golden Lions finished the event with a nine-stroke advantage over second-place Florida A&M (873-882).
This win earned UAPB an automatic bid to the NCAA Men’s Golf Championship, where they competed in the Norman, Oklahoma, NCAA Regional and were named the No.1 HBCU men’s golf program in the country in 2023.
UAPB head golf coach Roger Totten clinched his fifth consecutive Coach of the Year award by the coaches in the SWAC Conference. Additionally, three UAPB golfers received individual awards.
“I came into this conference hoping for an opportunity to coach,” said Coach Totten. “There are many great coaches here, and being selected five years in a row by my peers means a lot to me. I am grateful, humble, and excited. If I keep talking, I might start crying tears of joy.”
Freshman Jose Berenguel was named Low Medalist, Freshman of the Year, and All-SWAC First Team. This marks the second consecutive year that the Golden Lions have won two of the highest individual awards. Sophomore Isamael Garcia won his second consecutive All-SWAC First Team award, and freshman Jules De Reu won his first All-SWAC Second Team award.
“The program is on the rise with momentum,” said Coach Totten. “I am thrilled for the student-athletes and the university, as we are on our way to the top. I am proud of how Jose and the team stepped up and performed in the last three days, bringing home the hardware.”
UAPB golf team finished the tournament with a score of 9-over par (284, 293, 296) 873, securing first place. FAMU placed second with a score of 18-over par (297, 301, 284) 882, while Alabama St. finished third with a score of 19-over par (281, 306, 296) 883. Prairie View A&M came in fourth with a score of 23-over par (294, 294, 299) 887, followed by Texas Southern in fifth place with a score of 29-over par (299, 298, 296) 893. Alabama A&M placed sixth with a score of 55-over par (297, 314, 308) 919, and Southern U. finished in seventh place with a score of 229-over par (354, 363, 376) 1093.
Berenguel was awarded the individual medalist honors for being the top golfer, with a score of 4-under par and a total of 212 (71, 68, 73). Garcia tied for fifth place with a score of 3-over par and a total of 219 (70, 77, 72), while De Reu placed tied for ninth with a score of 5-over par and a total of 221 (71, 78, 72).
Tim Alalin, a freshman, finished tied for 16th place overall with a score of 9-over par and a total of 225 (72, 74, 79). Angel Soria, a sophomore, rounded out the Golden Lions’ back-to-back championship run, tied for 18th place with a score of 10-over par and a total of 226 (72, 74, 80).
The Golden Lions will now focus on their second NCAA postseason appearance. The NCAA Regional Championships will take place from May 13-15 at six pre-determined sites, including the University Texas Golf Club in Austin, TX (hosted by the University of Texas), University Club in Baton Rouge, LA (hosted by Louisiana University), UNC Finley Golf Course in Chapel Hill, NC (hosted by the University of North Carolina), The Farms Golf Club in Ranch Santa Fe, CA (hosted by the University of San Diego), Stanford Golf Course in Stanford, CA (hosted by Stanford University), and Birk Boilermaker Golf Complex in West Lafayette, IND (hosted by Purdue).
The entire 72-team field will be announced Wednesday April 24 live on Golf Channel 2 p.m.
- Arkansas-Pine Bluff- 284, 293, 296 | 873
- Alabama State- 281, 306, 295 | 882
- Florida A&M- 297, 301, 289 | 887
- Prairie View A&M- 294, 294, 302 | 890
- Texas Southern- 299, 298, 296 | 893
- Alabama A&M- 297, 314, 308 |919
- Southern U.- 354, 364, 377 | 1095
Coach of the Year
Roger Totten, UAPB
Low Medalist
Jose Berenguel, UAPB
Freshman Low Medalist
Jose Berenguel, UAPB
All-SWAC First Team
Jose Berenguel, UAPB
Rondarias Walters, PVAMU
Ignacio Puente, ASU
Patrick Jean-Pierre, FAMU
Ismael Garcia, UAPB
Paul Lindskog, TSU
All-SWAC Second Team
Jaden Thompson, PVAMU
Joah Bramwell, PVAMU
Jules DeRau, UAPB
Patrick Mwendapole, FAMU
