WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The University of Tennessee Southern men's golf team opened its 2026 fall season with a strong showing at the Wildcat Fall Invitational, placing fourth in a competitive nine-team field at the Birck Boilermaker Golf Complex.
The Firehawks finished with a three-round score of 878 (302-288-288), ending the tournament at 26-over par. After an opening-round 302, UT Southern responded with back-to-back rounds of 288 to climb the leaderboard and secure a top-four finish. The Firehawks finished just three strokes behind third-place Hastings and two strokes behind Northwestern Ohio.
UT Southern was led by Nico Garcia, who turned in an outstanding tournament to finish tied for seventh overall. Garcia carded rounds of 75, 73, and 68 for a 54-hole total of 216 (+3). His final-round 68 was tied for the lowest round of the tournament and vaulted him into the top 10 of the individual standings.
Leo-Paul Cesari also earned a top-15 finish for the Firehawks, tying for 12th at 219 (+6). Cesari was particularly impressive in the second round, firing a 2-under-par 70 before closing with a 73.
Jack Stowe added another strong performance, finishing tied for 14th after rounds of 77, 71, and 72 for a tournament total of 220 (+7).
Tyler Wilson rounded out four Firehawks among the top 30, tying for 27th with a score of 226 (+13), while Cole Campbell finished tied for 37th at 232 (+19).
Indiana Wesleyan claimed the team championship at 862 (-2), followed by Taylor (872) and Hastings (875). UT Southern's fourth-place finish placed the Firehawks ahead of Northwestern Ohio, Marian (Ind.), Campbellsville, Midway, and Indiana Wesleyan's B team.
Individually, Jose Luis Vargas of Northwestern Ohio earned medalist honors at 210 (-3), while Garcia finished just six strokes off the lead.
UT Southern Individual Results
T-7. Nico Garcia – 216 (75-73-68)
T-12. Leo-Paul Cesari – 219 (76-70-73)
T-14. Jack Stowe – 220 (77-71-72)
T-27. Tyler Wilson – 226 (77-74-75)
T-37. Cole Campbell – 232 (74-83-75)
Team Standings
- Indiana Wesleyan – 862
- Taylor – 872
- Hastings – 875
- UT Southern – 878
- Northwestern Ohio – 879
- Marian (Ind.) – 885
- Indiana Wesleyan (B) – 897
- Campbellsville – 904
- Midway – 928
The Firehawks return to action Sept. 13-15 when they host the Firehawk Fall Invitational at Canebrake Club in Athens, Alabama.
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