Bucs off the Strong Start in Fall Season
The Shelton State men's golf team has gotten off to a good start for the 2025-2026 season. In both tournaments, the Buccaneers finished 5th out of 16 teams, rising in the final round with the good team scores or the best team score of the day. At the Wallace Fall Kickoff in Dothan, AL, Shelton State was led by All-Tournament Team member Reid Larson. A freshman from Spanish Fort, AL, Reid finished 5th with scores of 76-71 and was the only sub-par round for the second day. Sophomore Will Norton and freshman Cooper Layton both finished in the top 30.
For the Chuck Kalanick Memorial in Union Grove, AL, Shelton State was tied for second after day one, shooting 11 over par 299. However, following a disappointing round two, they fell to ninth. The Buccaneers got back to work day three and had the best score of the day with a 298 and moved up four spots to 5th. Once again, Reid Larson led the team with another All-Tournament Team selection and a tie for second place, shooting 71-74-74. Cooper Layton tied for eleventh, Will Norton and sophomore Michael Brewer both finished top 30.
"The team has gotten off to a good start in my opinion. It certainly can be better, and I think it will, but we just have to become more consistent. The talent is there, and the team is good across the board. I really think they will continually get better and can really take this program to a high level and high ranking." Head Coach-Chris Sanford
The Shelton State men's golf team continued to build off very good finishes over the next two tournaments. First, the men took part in the Conference Preview held at Cypress Lakes Golf Club in Muscle Shoals, AL. After round 1, the Buccaneers found themselves tied for fourth after shooting a 9 over par 293. However, after firing a sizzling 9 under par 274, the Bucs vaulted into the lead by 3 shots going in to round three over Calhoun Community College. Freshman Cooper Layton of Brantley, AL shot a six under 65, followed by Will Norton's 68 (-3), and Michael Brewer's one under 70. The final round didn't go as well as hoped with a 298 (+14) but was still good enough for the runner-up finish to Calhoun, losing by three shots. Cooper and freshman Reid Larson both made the All-Tournament team. With the success of the first three tournaments in the books, the Buccaneers snagged a #20 ranking in the first release of the fall season.
Next came the LBW Saints Fall Invitational at Cambrian Ridge in Greenville, AL. The Buccaneers had a strong first round, firing a seven over par (295) to find second place by 1 stroke to Wallace Dothan and just two shots ahead of Jefferson State. The Bucs were led by Reid Larson with 70 (-2) and Cooper Layton 71 (-1). Michael Brewer, playing as an individual, tied for the lead with a sporty 5 under par 67. Unlike the Conference Preview, Shelton State would not be denied. Will Norton fired a one under par 71 followed by Dane Galiano's 74. The team shot 300 to win by one stroke over Jeff State (299). Michael Brewer continued his hot play with a 1 under 71 to win low medalist honors. Reid Larson, Cooper Layton, and Will Norton joined him on the All-Tournament Team. Brayden Davis shot 79 the first day but had to withdraw with an illness.
It was the first tournament title for men's golf in 23 years with the last being the 2002 NJCAA Division II National Championship. With the win, the Buccaneers moved up four spots to #16 in the national rankings.
"I'm very proud of this team! They had an opportunity to win in Muscle Shoals and just fell short. They put themselves in position again and found a way to win on a touch golf course in Cambrian Ridge. This team works hard, pushes each other, and really wants to be successful. Michael played fantastic to win low medalist honors, and with Reid, Cooper, and Will, we had 4 in the top ten. We have our last fall event at Musgrove Country Club in a couple of weeks, and we need another strong finish to send us on a good note to the spring."
Next Tournament is November 3-4 at Musgrove Country Club in Jasper, AL.