Men’s Golf Wins Playoff Thriller
April 2, 2026
DECATUR - The No. 5 ranked Shelton State men's golf team won on the first playoff hole to capture the Calhoun Men's Spring Classic at Burningtree Country Club in Decatur.
Shelton State and No. 9 Calhoun had identical +11 scores after three rounds.
The Bucs won the team playoff with four pars and one bogey, while Calhoun had two birdies, two bogies and one double bogey.
"What an exciting way to win the golf tournament " Shelton State head coach Chris Sanford. "We haven't been in a team playoff before, and the guys handled it really well. In a situation like gat, beating a team on their home course, will really help down the road in our next few tournaments."
Shelton State held a one-shot after day one with 287 total. The Bucs shot 299 on the second day and fell seven shots of the pace. Shelton State rallied on the final day with a 289 score to force the playoff.
Shelton State picked up its third straight tournament win and fourth this spring. The Bucs have five total tournament wins this academic year.
Freshman Reid Larson finished second overall with a two-under par total. He shot even-par 72 in round one and one-over 73 in round two.
Larson shot a 3-under 69 in the final round, which included an eagle on the par 5, 13th hole, and three birdies.
Freshman Cooper Layton finished eighth with a two-over par. He set the tone in the first round with a three-under 69. He had an eagle on the par five 16th hole and four birdies.
He shot 77 in round two, but bounced back with an even par 72 in the third round. His final round total included four birdies.
Freshman Dane Galiano finished 11th place with a six-over total. He carded a 73 in round one, 75 in round two and 74 in the final round. He had 10 total birdies.
Sophomores Wyatt McDonald and Will Norton, and freshman Brayden Davis were all 11-over to finish 26th in the standings.
McDonald carded a 73-80–74 in his three rounds. He shot 36 on the front nine in round one.
Norton had scores of 77-74-76 in the tournament. In the first round, he had an eagle on the par five 16th hole. Norton shot a one-under 35 on the back nine in round two.
Davis shot 76-74-77 in his three rounds. He had even par 36 on the front nine in round one. He had a total of nine birdies.
Sophomore Michael Brewer shot a two-under 70 in the final round to finish 32nd with a 13-over.
Brewer had a 34 on the front nine, with three birdies in the first five holes. He shot even par 36 on the back nine with two more birdies.
"All seven guys played good golf, and I'm very happy and proud of them," Sanford said. "The postseason is upon us, and we turn around and go to the conference championships this Sunday. I hope we can keep this momentum going."
The 2026 ACCC Championships will take place April 5-7 at Cypress Lakes in Muscle Shoals.