Men’s Golf Wins Lakehawk Invitational Championship
CLERMONT, Fla. – The No. 12 ranked Shelton State Community College men's golf team captured championship of the 2026 Lakehawk Invitational on a cold and windy day at the Green Valley County Club on Tuesday afternoon.
Shelton State has now won two tournament championships during the 2025-26 academic year. The Bucs captured the LBW Invitational during the fall.
The Bucs shot 15-over on Tuesday to erase a two-shot deficit to win the tournament by eight strokes.
Shelton State carded a two-day total of 608 to finish eight shots ahead of No. 18 Snead State. The Parsons finished with a two-day total 616 (+40) to finish second in the event. No. 9 Jefferson State (+48) and Mobile (+48) tied for third place and No. 33 Lake Sumter (+55), the host school, finished fifth.
"I am super proud of the guys today," Shelton State head coach Chris Sanford said. "To go out and start in 34 degrees, some wind, and just be really uncomfortable, and find a way to win, was really impressive. They fought through it, got off to a good start and played solid golf on the back 9. They were mentally tough, because it was not pleasant this morning. I'm very proud of each player, and each one contributed to the win. Very happy for Reid to pull through and get Low Medalist honors. Great trip for the program!"
All five Shelton State finished in the Top 14 in the event.
Freshman Reid Larson (Spanish Fort) won the individual championship winning on the third playoff hole against Lake Sumter's Tripp Watkins. Larson made a six-foot birdie putt on hole No. 2, while Watkins missed his birdie putt. Larson shot a 74 on Tuesday after posting a 73 on Monday. It was Larson's first tournament win in his career with the Bucs.
Larson had a chance to win on his final hole but missed the 8-foot birdie. On the first playoff hole, Larson had a 6-foot par putt to win the tournament, but it lipped out. Watkins had a chance to win on second playoff hole but missed his 10-foot bride putt, and Larson took medalist honors on the next hole.
"It was a tough day but glad we got the job done as a team," Larson said. "To win myself, just made it a little more special."
Freshman Cooper Layton (Brantley) finished fourth with a seven-over-par 151. Layton carded a 74 in the final round, after shooting a round of 77 on Monday.
Larson and Layton both made the All-Tournament Team.
Sophomore Wyatt McDonald (Kansas City, Kansas) finished 10th with a 13-over par 157 score. McDonald has his best round on Tuesday with a 77. He carded an 80 in Monday's round.
Freshmen Dane Galiano (LaPlace, La.) and Will Norton (Covington, Ga.) tied for 14th place with an identical 14-over-par in the two-day event. Galiano carded a 78 on Tuesday after shooting an 80 on Monday. Norton shot 83 on Tuesday after a round of 75 on Tuesday.
The Bucs return to action at the Coastal Alabama North Invitational in Brewton on Feb. 15-17.