Loading article...
Loading article...
see also: East Lake Cup Collegiate Match Play Championship, East Lake Golf Club

Parker Bell’s birdie on 18 lifted Florida past Virginia 3–2, giving the Gators their first East Lake Cup title.
ATLANTA, Ga. (October 29, 2025) — The Florida Gators capped off their fall season in style, earning their first East Lake Cup title with a thrilling 3–2 victory over top-seeded Virginia at historic East Lake Golf Club.
In a rematch of the 2024 NCAA semifinals, the Gators flipped the script, with sophomore Parker Bell sinking a 10-foot birdie putt on the 18th green to defeat WAGR No. 1 Ben James and clinch the deciding point.
“I wasn’t expecting it to come down to the final hole like it did,” said Bell. “But it’s Ben James — he’s going to be a PGA TOUR player. I had to fight to hold on, and that’s what I did.”
Bell appeared in full control with a 4-up lead through 13 holes, but James rallied, birdieing four of the final five to apply immense pressure. Bell matched birdies at 17 and 18 to seal the match and the championship, pumping his fist as teammates erupted around the green.
It marked a defining moment for a Florida team that had fallen just short of the East Lake Cup title in its first appearance a year ago.
“We had an incredibly tough and resilient group of guys today,” said Florida head coach J.C. Deacon. “They played through extreme conditions — wind, rain, cold — and beat an incredible team.”
Florida drew first blood thanks to junior Luke Poulter, who rolled in a birdie putt on East Lake’s island green 15th to close out freshman Michael Lee 4&3.
“It’s always nice to get that first point,” Poulter said. “I think it leaves a message to the team to say we’re here for business.”
The Gators’ second point came from sophomore Zach Swanwick, who edged graduate student Paul Chang 2&1 with crucial birdies on the 13th and 17th holes.
Virginia, the 2024 NCAA semifinalist and East Lake’s top seed, made the Gators earn every inch. Junior Josh Duangmanee defeated senior Matthew Kress 2-up, while senior Bryan Lee took down Jack Turner 3&1 to keep the Cavaliers’ hopes alive.
“We had a great fall. Playing match play is fun, and we don’t get to do a lot of it. This tournament was a lot of fun overall.” — Virginia head coach Bowen Sargent
In the men’s consolation match, Ole Miss topped Arizona State 3.5–1.5 to finish on a high note. Senior Tom Fischer secured a 3&2 victory, while Cohen Trolio (5&3) and Michael La Sasso (3&2) added key points for the Rebels.
“To get a win here is a big accomplishment,” said Ole Miss head coach Chris Malloy. “To beat a program like Arizona State and get some match play experience is awesome.”
Now in its 11th year, the East Lake Cup mirrors the NCAA Championship format, showcasing four elite men’s and women’s teams in a three-day, match-play competition broadcast live on Golf Channel.
Held at East Lake Golf Club, the home of Bobby Jones, the event benefits the East Lake Foundation, which supports community revitalization programs throughout Atlanta. Since 2015, the East Lake Cup has raised more than $2.5 million for the Foundation.
Golf Channel aired live coverage of Wednesday’s finals from 11 a.m.–2 p.m. ET. Fans can stay connected with the event on X (@eastlakecup, @golfchannel), Facebook, and Instagram.

Started in 2015 and hosted by the historic East Lake Golf Club Atlanta, this collegiate, three-day match play competition features the top-performing teams from the previous year's NCAA Men’s Golf Championships. There is an individual award for the l...
Masters: Memorable performances by amateurs in the last 40 years
Apr 2, 2026A Mid-Amateur legend and a 14 year old have won low-amateur honors at Augusta National over the years
Meet the Amateurs in the 2026 Masters: Six Different Paths to Augusta National
Mar 22, 2026From teenage phenoms to seasoned dreamers, the amateur class at the 2026 Masters brings six compelling stories to Augusta
FINAL RESULTS: 2026 Junior Invitational at Sage Valley
Mar 14, 2026Miles Russell surged with a closing 67 to reclaim the boys title while Asterisk Talley dominated the girls division at Sage Valley
San Francisco City Championship: Champions Crowned
Mar 22, 2026Joey Hayden, Gianna Singh, Bob Niger, and Jeff Thomas capped championship week with title-winning performances at Harding Park.
Gary Woodland Wins Houston Open in Emotional Comeback After Brain Surgery
Mar 30, 2026Gary Woodland’s Houston Open win is a reminder of why perseverance matters in golf