The University of Texas Permian Basin men's and women's golf programs put together impressive fall campaigns, with both teams capturing tournament championships and establishing momentum heading into the spring season. 

Under Head Golf Coach Paul Chavez, the Falcons continued to show growth, combining strong individual performances with consistent team results. The men's program established itself among the top teams in the region and nationally—ranking as high as No. 22—while the women's program reached a historic milestone with its first team championship. 

"Our fall season was a great success for both the women's and men's golf programs," Chavez said. "Each had tournament victories and several top-five finishes. We saw tremendous growth and development throughout the fall season. I see great things heading into the spring season." 

This collective success did not occur in isolation, but was the result of significant contributions from athletes across both rosters. 

"This fall season I saw great leadership from our returners, and our transfers did an amazing job stepping right in and playing great golf," Chavez said. "On the men's side, our freshmen came in and gave us much-needed depth. They put forth outstanding effort and produced great results." 

Building a Championship Contender 
After starting the season off with an eighth-place finish at The Dewsweeper Invitational (Sep. 14-15), the men's team bounced back in impressive fashion, capturing the team championship at the Shootout at PGA Riviera Maya (Sep. 27-29). The victory also featured a sweep of the team and individual titles, as junior Dian Wilmot delivered an outstanding performance to secure medalist honors in a playoff. 

Wilmot closed the tournament with a 4-under-par 68 in the final round, helping the Falcons claim the championship and setting the tone for the remainder of the season. 

"Our team championship at PGA Riviera Maya was a tremendous start to the season that gave us great momentum for the rest of the fall season," Chavez said. "It solidified our program as one of the top teams in our region and a top-25 program in the nation." 

UTPB carried that momentum throughout the fall, adding a third-place finish at The Hrnciar (Oct. 5-6) and a tie for second at the NCAA West/South Central Region Preview (Oct. 26-27). Across five tournaments, the Falcons consistently positioned themselves in contention for team championships. 

Chavez credited the team's ability to maintain a high level of play as a major factor in its success, while also identifying an area for continued improvement heading into the spring. 

"We played extremely well all fall, and it showed in our results," Chavez said. "Contending for team championships week in and week out is always the goal. We were able to sustain a high level of performance that resulted in many top-five finishes." 

While the Falcons have established themselves as a contender, Chavez believes greater consistency throughout the lineup will be the key to turning strong finishes into additional championships. 

"We definitely need more consistent scoring up and down the lineup," Chavez said. "We have a crop of talented golfers who give us a chance to win each week. Consistency will allow for more championships." 

Making History on the Course 
The women's team also delivered a memorable fall, reaching a milestone that will forever be part of UTPB Athletics history. 

In their season opener at the Oklahoma Women's Intercollegiate (Sep.19-20), the Falcons captured the first team championship in program history, marking a significant achievement for a program that continues to build its foundation. 

Junior Lorena Etxeberria highlighted the historic victory, birdying her final two holes to earn individual medalist honors. 

For Chavez, the championship represented more than just a tournament victory. It reflected the work and commitment the team had invested in improving its level of play. 

"By winning the first ever team championship in school history, it gave our program validation," Chavez said. "Validation that all of our hard work and dedication paid off. These ladies have come in and worked very hard to improve our level of play, and the results are showing up." 

Etxeberria's performance was another major highlight of the fall campaign. Chavez pointed to her combination of speed, power and continued development as key factors in her emergence as a difference-maker for the Falcons. 

"Lorena is a super talented golfer who has skills that many female golfers do not have, and that is elite-level speed and power," Chavez said. "My goal since she arrived on campus was to develop her entire game so she could perform at a high level." 

That development was on full display at the Oklahoma Women's Intercollegiate, where Etxeberria's finish demonstrated both her individual ability and her determination to help the team succeed. 

"She has shown maturity and growth that has allowed her to shoot great scores," Chavez said. "Her finish at the Oklahoma Intercollegiate gave us a glimpse of not only her talent but her determination to help the team win." 

With the program's first championship secured, the Falcons have a new benchmark to build upon.  

"After completing a very successful fall campaign, we still have work to do so we can be more consistent with team scoring," Chavez said. "Consistent team scoring will allow this team to be competitive week in and week out." 

Setting Sights on Bigger Goals 
While the fall season provided plenty of reasons for optimism, Coach Chavez and the Falcons have their sights set on even bigger accomplishments. 

His vision for both programs extends beyond individual tournament victories and regional success, with the ultimate goal of competing for a national championship. 

"My teams' goals have always been to win a National Championship," Chavez said. "Very lofty, but attainable." 

In a short time leading the programs, Chavez has seen both teams take important steps toward that vision. Under Coach Chavez's leadership, the Falcons as a whole have recorded 13 top-five team finishes, with 11 from the men's team and 2 from the women's team. The programs have also secured five tournament victories (4 men, 1 women) and produced five individual medalists (4 men, 1 women). Additionally, the Falcons have made two NCAA appearances—one as an individual and one as a team—on the men's side. 

With championship experience, emerging talent and a strong foundation of leadership, the Falcons enter the spring season with momentum on both sides. 

"I am super excited about the direction both programs are headed in the very short time I have been the Head Golf Coach," Chavez said. "My goal has been to develop both programs into national contenders and win championships."