WICHITA FALLS, Texas (March 24, 2026) – History was made as The University of Texas Permian Basin men's golf team won the 2026 Midwestern State Invitational while senior Will Tate successfully defended his 2025 Midwestern State individual championship to again win medalist honors in 2026. It was the third time in program history and second time this year that UTPB men's golf has won both the team and individual title at the same tournament.

Both UTPB (as a team) and Tate (as an individual) led the tournament after all three rounds.

In addition, with the team's second win this season and the third in the last two years, UTPB Head Coach Paul Chavez is now the winningest golf coach in UTPB history.

"This was one of my goals coming into taking the job," said Chavez. "I wanted to make UTPB golf a national powerhouse. We are still in the early stages of that, but to be able to continue to set records and to be recognized as a strong program is something I take a lot of pride in. I am very appreciative of the opportunity the university has given me to lead this golf program."

This is the fifth tournament title for the Falcons in the last three seasons after winning their first two tournaments in program history in Hawaii in Fall 2023. It was also career win No. 161 for Coach Chavez between his time at UTPB and Odessa College.

UTPB (284-277-289; 850; -2) led the tournament by five strokes over No. 9 St. Mary's University after round one, led by eight strokes over No. 2 (NJCAA) Odessa College after round two, and won by six strokes over Odessa (290-279-287; 856; +4) in the end.

After starting the tournament at even-par after the first round, UTPB shot an incredible seven-under-par during round two. In addition, each of UTPB's top-four golfers contributing to the team scoring shot under-par during round two.

"This week was definitely a total team effort," said Coach Chavez. "Everybody contributed, and that is how you build a championship program is through depth. In the big picture, everyone played well and did their job."

The Falcons' two-round team score of 561 was good for the third-lowest two-round team score in the history of UTPB men's golf, all three of which of occurred during the 2025-26 season. In addition, their score of 277 during the second round was good for the fourth-lowest single-round team score in program history.

Tate (67-68-68; 203; -10) led the tournament by two strokes over Cameron's Rory Gorman after round one, by three strokes over DBU's Samuel Jenkins (-4) after round two, and won by four strokes over Cameron's Carson Wright (71-69-67; 207; -6) in the end.

"Will is one of the top players in our conference," said Chavez. "He is long and accurate off the tee and has a solid up and down game. He is just a great player. Overall, his game is sharp and excellent, and that gives him a great chance to win anytime he tees it up."

Tate began his tournament with an awesome four-under during round one, was seven-under heading into the final round, and was able to shoot under-par during all three rounds and finish at 10-under overall.

Tate's two-round score of 135 is tied for the second-lowest two-round score in the UTPB record books, tying his two-round score from his win at the Midwestern State Invite last year and teammate Ioan Rowe's score at the Ryan Palmer Foundation Invitational earlier this year.

With a three-round score of 203, Tate's score is a new program record by one stroke.

"I shot the ball really well and did not make too many mistakes," spoke Tate. "This golf course suits me quite well because you can drive it long and straight, and wedge play is a major factor."

With two individual championships now in his career, Tate ranks second all-time in wins at UTPB. In 2025, Tate earned his first-career win at six-under (207), finishing five strokes better than Chase Williams of Odessa College.

For the rest of the Falcons, Nizar Bourehim (72-70-71; 213; E) shot even-par for the tournament and tied for eighth place, Ioan Rowe (72-69-78; 219; +6) tied for 32nd, Laurent Beech (73-70-78; 221; +8) tied for 42nd, and Thonsaeng Nunya (78-74-72; 224; +11) improved his scored during each round and moved up 10 spots over the course of the final round to tie for 55th.

When asked about his team's success so far this season, Tate said, "We are definitely aiming towards that national championship, getting there and having a crack at it. As a team, we feel like we can win every tournament we play in. One through five, we all feel like we have the ability to play well, and if one of us is not playing their best, the others can chip in."

UTPB's final tournament before the Lone Star Conference Championship will be the RJGA Palm Valley Classic on Monday, April 6, and Tuesday, April 7, at the Palm Valley Golf Club in Goodyear, Arizona.