JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (September 11, 2025) – Following a fourth-place finish on Tuesday, University of North Alabama men's golf redshirt freshman Walter Waineby won the Atlantic Sun Conference Men's Golfer of the Week award, announced Thursday.
 
Waineby made his collegiate debut at the Golfweek Fall Challenge, shooting a 206 (10-under) with rounds of 70-68-68.
 
The Sweden native recorded the fifth-best three-round individual total in UNA's Division I history. Teammates Xing Luo and Andrew Ferworn hold the top two spots, while former Lions Jackson Wedgeworth and Andre Jacobs rank third and fourth.
 
Waineby's fourth-place finish surpassed Ferworn's ninth-place debut in Division I, setting a new record for best freshman finish in school history.
 
He sunk 11 birdies and an eagle while he finished third in pars with 39 for the field – the top two spots tied with 40.
 
UNA finished second in the Golfweek Fall Challenge, one stroke behind the winner.
 
The clubhouse leader, Waineby, helped lead the team to a recording breaking performance.
 
UNA's final-round 269 marked the lowest single-round team score in its Division I history — beating the previous mark by seven strokes. The former best came during the Fall 2022 season at the first round of the Streaming Invitational with a 276.
North Alabama secured the best Division I three-round team total in school history — by four strokes. UNA completed the tournament with 830 total score, which triumphs the 834 set at the Fall 2024 GMAC Invitational.
UNA led the tournament with 70 birdies and topped all teams in par-4s, par-5s, and eagles. The Lions were 13-under on par-4s, 10 strokes better than second place.
 
Dating back to September 2024, this is now the eighth ASUN Golfer of the Week award for the program. Waineby becomes the first freshman to win the award during the Division I era.
 
He joins teammates Xing Luo, Andrew Ferworn and Sebastian Bengtsson to win the award in the last calendar year.
 
"What a first tournament for Walter," said The Schmitz Family head coach Austin Phillips. "He proved that he is ready to play at this level. I know he didn't even have his best week, which is really exciting for us. Can't wait for the rest of his season."
 
Waineby is the ninth Lion to win the ASUN Golfer of the Week in the Division I era, the 15th award for the program.
 
Next up, Luo and the Lions travel to Oneonta, Ala. for the GMAC Invitational at Limestone Springs Golf Club on Monday, Sept. 22.
 
Golfweek Fall Challenge – Hosted by Golfweek
Round 1: 70 (-2), four birdies, 12 pars, 34 stroke score on the front nine
Round 2: 68 (-4), two birdies, one eagle, 15 pars, no bogeys, 34 both front and back nine
Round 3: 68 (-4), five birdies, 36 front nine and 32 back nine
 
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