JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (September 11, 2025) – University of North Alabama’s Walter Waineby has been named the Atlantic Sun Conference Men’s Golfer of the Week after impressively finishing fourth in his debut at the Golfweek Fall Challenge.
Waineby shot a stellar 206, finishing 10-under par with rounds of 70, 68, and 68. This achievement places him in the record books with the fifth-best three-round total in UNA’s Division I history. His teammate, Xing Luo, and Andrew Ferworn hold the top positions, but Waineby’s performance marks the best finish by a freshman in the school’s history.
His strong play included 11 birdies and one eagle, putting him in third place for the most pars, with 39 throughout the tournament. UNA’s overall team performance was notable too, as they finished just one stroke shy of first place.
The team set a new record with a final-round score of 269, making it the lowest single-round team score recorded in the Division I era at UNA. Their three-round total of 830 beats the previous best of 834 from the Fall 2024 GMAC Invitational. They excelled in various aspects, leading the tournament with 70 birdies and dominating par-4s and par-5s.
This marks the eighth Golfer of the Week award for the program since September 2024, and Waineby is the first freshman to achieve this honor during the Division I era. Coach Austin Phillips praised Waineby, noting the potential for even greater things ahead as the season progresses.
As the Lions prepare for their next challenge at the GMAC Invitational on September 22, they stand firm as a strong contender in their league.
In terms of broader sports trends, golf has seen a rise in interest among younger players in recent years. According to a 2023 survey by the National Golf Foundation, participation in junior golf programs has increased by 12% compared to previous years. This surge may pave the way for more talent emerging from collegiate programs like UNA’s.
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