Florida Southern outlasts Wingate for 14th NCAA DII Men’s Golf title

Florida Southern returned to the top of Division II golf Friday afternoon, defeating Wingate 3-2 at Boulder Creek Golf Club in Boulder City, Nev., to capture the program’s 14th NCAA Division II national championship.

 

The victory strengthened the Moccasins’ standing as the winningest program in Division II history and marked their first national title since 2017.

The week began with 20 teams battling through stroke play for eight match play spots, but Florida Southern quickly separated itself from the field. The No. 2-ranked Mocs posted 35-under 829 (280-278-271) to win stroke play by eight shots and earn the No. 1 seed. Missouri-St. Louis finished second at 27-under 837, while Wingate secured the No. 3 seed at 25-under 839. Lee University placed fourth at 18-under.

Florida Southern then defeated Lee 4-1 in the quarterfinals and edged Colorado Christian 3-2 in the semifinals to reach the championship match against Wingate.

The final came down to experience. All three points for Florida Southern were delivered by upperclassmen.

Graduate student Tyler Mistretta set the tone early with a gritty 1-up win over Brandon Skidmore. Mistretta built a four-hole advantage on the back nine before surviving a late rally to close out the match, 70-71.

Senior Donte Groppuso produced one of the best rounds of the day, overpowering Mattia D’Errico in a 5-up victory. Groppuso made five birdies and an eagle, highlighted by a 30-foot eagle putt on the 15th, matching the 66 he posted earlier in the semifinals.

Freshman Anthony Monteleone battled throughout his match with Alfie Storer but ultimately fell by two strokes after Storer eagled the 16th.

That left senior Max Barile with the chance to clinch—and he never let the opportunity slip. Barile led wire-to-wire against Cole Rouse, making six birdies in a composed 68-72 victory that secured the national title for the Mocs.

Colton Swartz dropped the final match to Lewis Beeden, but by then the celebration was already underway.

South Carolina Beaufort freshman Octavio Laurent captured the individual national title at 17-under 199 (70-66-63), finishing four shots clear of the field while competing as an individual. Laurent closed with a stunning 9-under 63, making nine birdies without a bogey and leading the championship with 22 birdies overall.

The victory capped a remarkable freshman campaign for Laurent, who already entered the week with Peach Belt Conference Player and Freshman of the Year honors, along with the NCAA Division II Phil Mickelson Outstanding Freshman Award.

By week’s end in the Nevada desert, Florida Southern had restored its place atop Division II golf—and a new individual star had arrived alongside them.