For the first time in the Division I era, the East Texas A&M University men’s golf team captured a tournament victory, bringing home the LaTour Intercollegiate trophy by nine strokes on Tuesday at the LaTour Golf Club.
The Lions entered the final round with a 12-stroke lead and carded a team score of 279, holding off a strong push from South Dakota, which shot a tournament-best 269 to finish second. East Texas A&M finished the tournament with a total score of 827.
This marks the program’s first team title in Division I. The Lions’ last team win came in 2022 at the DBU Patriot Classic, the program’s final regular-season tournament as a Division II team.
Individually, Janis Erll of Lich, Germany, led the 36-hole standings and forced a playoff after birdying his final hole. Midland College’s Scott Spark edged out Erll on the second playoff hole to claim the individual medal. Erll finished with a total score of 203 (69-62-72), tying the course record in Monday’s second round. Davis Seybert of Trinity Midland tied for third with a 205 (69-69-67).
Other Lions performers included Cooper Watt (Rockford, Ill.) tied for ninth with 209 (71-70-68), Nicke Kaajavirta (Kajaani, Finland) in 16th with 213 (71-70-72), and Matt Walters (Ballito, South Africa) tied for 25th with 217 (68-76-73).
The LaTour Intercollegiate was the final fall tournament for the Lions, who are competing in their first full Division I season and are eligible for NCAA-sponsored postseason events. East Texas A&M will release its full spring schedule in the coming months.
