NCAA Golf News

Deacs Set to Compete in Elite Field at Valspar Collegiate

Deacs Set to Compete in Elite Field at Valspar Collegiate


PALM CITY, Fla. – In search of their fourth victory of the 2025-26 season, the Wake Forest men’s golf team travels to Florida for the Valspar Collegiate Invitational starting Monday. 

Of the 16-team field, thirteen of the nation’s top-35 teams according to the Scoreboard rankings will be participating in the Valspar Collegiate Invitational.

Ranked No. 29 in the latest Scoreboard Rankings, the Deacs can continue to climb with a strong performance against a competitive field.

The 54-hole tournament, hosted by Houston, will begin with 36 holes on Monday, March 23 and conclude with 18 March 24. 

The Deacs’ Lineup

Jakob Melin

In his outing at The Prestige, Senior Jakob Melin posted a top-20 finish. Melin picked up his second top-5 finish of his senior season, ending in fifth place at nine-under at The Bryson Invitational. Melin finished the Hamptons Intercollegiate inside of the top 20 after having a pair of top-10 finishes to start the season.

Tom Haberer

Junior Tom Haberer claimed his first collegiate title by two strokes with a score of 203 (-13), tying for the eighth-lowest 54-hole score to par in program history. Haberer’s win was highlighted by three under-par rounds, including a low five-under 67 in round two, tallying 17 birdies and carding just four bogeys over three rounds. Haberer had a second-place finish at the Hamptons Intercollegiate, marking his second runner-up finish this season. 

Nicholas Prieto

At the Bryan National Collegiate, Prieto claimed his first collegiate title as a Demon Deacon with a score of 203 (-13), tying for the eighth-lowest 54-hole score to par in program history. Prieto secured a top-10 finish at the Hamptons Intercollegiate, tying for sixth on the individual leaderboard. At the Palmas del Mar Collegiate, Prieto claimed a runner-up finish, marking his fourth top-five finish of his junior season. Prieto shot his best in round three, carding a career-low 66 (-6).

Jorge Hao 

Sophomore Jorge Hao captured his first collegiate title, tying the fourth-lowest 54-hole score to par (since spring 1976) with a final score of 199 (-17). Hao’s first victory was highlighted by three under-par rounds, including two consecutive rounds of 65 (-7). Leading by five strokes, Hao tallied an impressive 19 birdies and four bogeys over three rounds. Hao shot his best in the final round of the Palmas del Mar Collegiate, with a final-round 69 (-3) to tie for 23rd. 

Kyle Haas

In his outing at The Bryson Invitational, Haas…

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