It was a day full of rallying back late, but the Louisiana Men’s Golf team is again conference champions.
For the fourth time in school history and the first since 2007, Louisiana captured the title after rallying to defeat South Alabama before overcoming Georgia Southern in the final match at Annandale Golf Club.
Jake Marler erased a three-hole deficit with a 20-hole marathon before Charlie Flynn sunk a clinching birdie putt for the title.
Theo Sliman’s team will play in their first regional since 2012 and await their destination from the NCAA on Wednesday.
“This is tremendously special and to have a fifth-year senior do it was pretty awesome,” head coach Theo Sliman said. “We had some people step up to help our program from a health and wellness side, and we have had tremendous support from our administration. We wanted to keep our guys loose during the week and after watching how we opened up play (on Monday) and remain consistent throughout stroke play, I thought we had a chance to do something special.
“Just so proud of the guys, so proud of the effort, they never gave up. We’ve had a rough spring, but we believed in each other and I’m proud to bring this home to Lafayette.”
LOUISIANA 3, SOUTH ALABAMA 2 (in order of finish)
Hugo Thyr (USA) def. Malan Potgieter (LA), 1-Up
Charlie Flynn (LA) def. Jacob LeCroy (USA), 4&2
Jake Marler (LA) def. Will Skipp (USA), 1-Up in 20 Holes
Eli Ortego (LA) def. Jordan Plunkett (USA), 2&1
Jack Hearn (USA) def. Matt Weber (LA), 7&5
LOUISIANA 3, GEORGIA SOUTHERN 2
Malan Potgieter (LA) def. Wilson Andress (GS), 1-Up
Charlie Flynn (LA) def. Brantley Baker (GS), 1-Up
Parker Claxton (GS) def. Eli Ortego (LA), 3&2
Jake Marler (LA) def. Mason Williams (GS), 3&2
Ben Carr (GS) def. Matt Weber (LA), 6&5