ROGERS, Ark. (March 4, 2025) – The University of Texas Permian Basin men's golf team took fourth place out of 17 teams at the shortened 36-hole Shadow Valley Invitational, hosted by the University of Arkansas Fort Smith at the Shadow Valley Country Club.

UTPB (303-308; 611) shot 15-over-par as a team during the opening round and found itself in second place after the first round before finishing at plus-35 for the tournament and securing fourth place.

"Obviously a top-four finish is great for the Falcons," spoke UTPB Head Golf Coach Paul Chavez. "The guys played extremely well. It was a sign of great things to come, and we are peaking at the right moment. We are looking forward to the next few events, and helpfully we can perform as well as we have been."

The Falcons dropped to as low as fifth place late in the second round (holes 15-16) before the round was suspended due to heavy rain and darkness on Monday with all 17 teams still on the course. The teams returned to action on Tuesday to finish off the round, but got a late start due to inclement weather conditions, forcing the tournament to be reduced from 54 holes.

"Basically, my advice to the team today was to just play hard the last few holes, focus and make the best of your opportunities," said Chavez. "The great thing about this tournament is that we were in contention pretty much from the get-go. It was a difficult golf course, and the wind and course conditions led to some mistakes that cost us in the end, but overall, it was a great performance."

The top three teams were Harding (296-304; 600), Arkansas Tech (310-294; 604) and Henderson State (306-299; 605). Missouri Western (307-305; 612) rounded out the top-five, one stroke behind the Falcons.

Leading the Falcons in a tie for fourth place in a field of 95 total golfers was Ioan Rowe (75-73; 148) and Will Tate (73-75; 148). Tate was also tied for fourth after shooting just one-over during the opening round while Rowe rose from 14th place to fourth with his plus-one during the final round. Both players were tied for sixth place through 16 holes during round two when play was suspended.

As a team, the Falcons were third in par-4 scoring (4.44; +44) and were fourth in total pars (94). Individually, Rowe tied for first in the tournament in par-3 scoring (3.00; Even), Tate was tied for sixth in par-4 scoring (4.20; +4), and the pair was tied for fifth in both par-5 scoring (4.63; -3) and birdies (7).

"We were the only team in the field with two top-four finishes," said Chavez. "Anytime you have two guys in the top-four, you have a chance to win. Will is obviously our top player. He kept everything in play, and on this course, putting is key. Will kept a positive attitude and hit quality puts and shots all day long. Ioan has been playing well since leading us during the last tournament, and that carried over to this tournament as well. We just need the other guys to step up, and when that happens, we will be in contention in pretty much every tournament."

Thonsaeng Nunya (76-81; 157) tied for 38th place, Waase Iqbal (79-79; 158) tied for 44th, and Juan Elias (86-94; 180) finished 92nd. Nunya shot plus-four during the opening round to tie for 16th place at the time.

In all, the field featured seven nationally-ranked teams including No. 2 Hutchinson Community College, No. 10 Weatherford College and No. 11 Garden City Community College from the junior college ranks and No. 21 Harding, No. 30 Henderson, No. 35 Washburn, and No. 48 Missouri Southern from DII.

The Falcons are back in action in two weeks at the Oak Tree Invitational, hosted by Oklahoma Christian University on Monday, March 17, and Tuesday, March 18. It will be the middle of UTPB's Spring season.