Oxmoor Valley – Ridge Course, Birmingham, Ala. – The UAPB Golden Lions men's golf team are SWAC Champions once again — and for the third time in just four years, the Black and Gold stand alone atop the Southwestern Athletic Conference. With a final team score of +12 over three rounds at the par-72 Oxmoor Valley Ridge Course, the Golden Lions outlasted a seven-team field to hoist the trophy that is quickly becoming a fixture in Pine Bluff. The championship is the program's third SWAC title in school history, joining banners raised in 2023 and 2024, making UAPB the only program in the conference to win three championships in that span.
Played over three rounds on the demanding Ridge Course at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail in Birmingham, the 2026 SWAC Championship tested every team from the opening tee. The Golden Lions posted rounds of -1, +11, and +2, with their strong opening round setting the tone. The field included Florida A&M, Prairie View A&M, Alabama A&M, Alabama State, Texas Southern, Jackson State, and Southern — and UAPB rose above them all.
Where the Golden Lions truly separated themselves was in the statistical categories that matter most. UAPB led the field in Par 5 scoring, tied with Texas Southern at a 4.77 average for a combined -14 total on the tournament's par 5s. They led the entire field in eagles with four on the week — double the nearest competitor — and ranked first in total pars with 151. They also ranked second in birdies with 36, trailing only Florida A&M, while finishing with the fewest bogeys of any team in the field at just 50 across the entire event. That combination of opportunistic scoring and course management discipline is the formula UAPB has made their own.
Jules De Reu was the team's anchor and the tournament's standout performer. The Golden Lions' top seed finished tied for third individually, carding rounds of 69-74-71 for a three-round total of +1 — the second-best score in the field. De Reu led the entire SWAC field in Par 5 scoring with a 4.08 average and a -11 total on par 5s, tied for first among all players. He also led all UAPB golfers in eagles with four on the week, good for first in the individual eagles category. His ability to attack the course's longer holes while protecting his scorecard on par 3s — he averaged an even 3.00 on par 3s — made him one of the most complete players at the entire event.
Jonathon Baumann delivered steady, valuable contributions across all three rounds, shooting 69-74-77 for a tournament total of +4. Baumann was one of the most prolific birdie makers for UAPB, ranking tied for first in the individual birdies category with 11 on the week — sharing the top spot with Jackson State's Trace Carpenter. His ability to find birdies in clusters kept UAPB's team score competitive throughout each round, particularly when conditions tightened on the final day. He also averaged an even 3.00 on par 3s, consistent with the team's disciplined approach on the shorter holes.
Cole Wiese was a crucial piece of UAPB's championship puzzle, posting rounds of 74-76-72 for a three-round total of +6. Wiese saved his best for last, carding his strongest round of the tournament on the final day with an even-par 72 — one of the best closing rounds among all Golden Lions. That final-round performance was a reflection of his resilience and his ability to grind through a difficult course setup. Wiese's consistency in protecting the scorecard, particularly on par 3s where he averaged 3.00 for the week, gave UAPB the kind of reliable floor they needed when the championship was on the line. His 37 total pars on the week also ranked among the top performers in the field in that category.
Timur Alalin was one of the most consistent Golden Lions across the three-day event, posting rounds of 72-75-74 for a tournament total of +5. Alalin ranked tied for third in the individual Par 3 scoring category with a 3.00 average, finishing even par on par 3s for the tournament — a reflection of the dependable tee-to-green game that has made him a key piece of the UAPB lineup. He added 32 total pars on the week, tied for third in that category among all individual players, and his steady hand throughout each round helped stabilize the team when momentum was in flux.
Angel Perez rounded out the UAPB scoring picture with rounds of 75-77-73, finishing at +9 for the tournament. Perez showed marked improvement as the week progressed, posting his best round of the event in the final round with a 73. He contributed 32 total pars on the week, tied for third in the individual pars category alongside Alalin, demonstrating a relentless effort to protect the scorecard. Perez also logged an eagle during the championship — one of UAPB's four on the week — contributing to the team's dominance of that statistical category.
Head coach Totten reflected on the magnitude of what this group has accomplished. "I'm proud of what this group has done — not just this year, but over time," he said. "Three SWAC championships in four years and a national title along the way… that speaks to consistency, commitment, and the character of these young men. Some of them weren't here when this run started, but they came in, bought in, and carried the standard forward. That's what a true program is about. This isn't about one moment — it's about building something that lasts. And everything we've built, we've built for UAPB. For the Black and Gold. For Golden Lion Nation. We're just grateful to keep adding to that legacy."
With the SWAC Championship in hand, the Golden Lions now turn their attention to the next stage. UAPB will await the NCAA Regional Selection Show on May 6th, where the field for the NCAA Regionals will be announced. The regional rounds are scheduled for May 18–20, and the Golden Lions — fresh off their third conference title in four years — will enter that field with momentum, experience, and a program identity that has become one of the most formidable in HBCU golf.
