ONEONTA, Ala. (September 23, 2025) – The University of North Alabama men's golf team took home the team title at the GMAC Invitational for the second straight season on Tuesday, finishing two-over par at Limestone Springs Golf Course in Oneonta, Ala.
Junior Andrew Ferworn posted a final-round 63 (-7), sinking eight birdies. His score is the lowest individual round in UNA's Division I history, surpassing current teammate Xing Luo. Luo previously tied the school record with a 65 during the third round of the 2024 Turtle Point Invite.
Ferworn totaled 17 birdies over the tournament and surged 19 spots on the final day to finish in second place. His 205 score is the fourth-best Division I three round individual tournament total and becomes his second career best — behind his 203 set at the 2024 Turtle Point Invite.
The Lions played 36 holes on Monday and wrapped up the tournament with the final 18 holes on Tuesday.
It all came down to the final hole, as Luo and Sebastian Bengtsson parred No. 18. The pressure was on Florida Atlantic, who led by a single stroke with their final golfer alongside Bengtsson.
FAU's Biagio Gagliardi landed in a greenside bunker, needing two attempts to get out. After a two-putt, Gagliardi finished with a double-bogey to push the Lions up a stroke.
No team in this tournament finished under-par as the Lions turned in a first-place finish with an 842 (+2).
Fueled by Ferworn's birdie barrage, North Alabama completed the tournament with 60 birdies — 12 better than second-place FAU. The Lions made 22 in the final round.
North Alabama finished tied for third with Central Arkansas after the first two rounds on Monday. As they started to climb, the Lions took over first by the 15th hole from leader Lipscomb. The top three teams from yesterday in Lipscomb, UNA and FAU competed in the same groups for today.
Lipscomb, an Atlantic Sun Conference foe, followed a strong second round with a round nearly identical to their first as they finished six-over; this dropped them into a tie for fourth with Central Arkansas.
However, Florida Atlantic hung around sitting at three-over and just a stroke behind the Lions heading into the final three holes. One Owl eagled on the 16th hole while a couple of Lions left some putts short to create some theater.
After Jedd Brady (+2) and Walter Waineby (+6) finished the final round, Ferworn came in to tap in his eighth birdie to hold the tie for first.
Luo made par, however the Owl next to him did as well, leaving the win in Bengtsson's hands. To this point, every FAU golfer parred both the 17th and 18th holes with one to go.
The Sweden native put his second shot on the green around 20-feet out from the hole, while FAU's Gagliardi put his in the bunker next to the green. Gagliardi's first shot from the sand went up, hit the top of the bunker and rolled back in before he put the second shot out on the green.
The Schmitz Family Head Men's Golf Coach, Austin Phillips, gave the senior some advice before the birdie putt that could seal the win for the Lions.
Bengtsson lined it up and saw a beautiful putt roll within inches of the right side of the cup as the senior winced in disbelief. He knocked the next in for par. FAU had the opportunity to hold the tie and share the crown with a putt from 15-foot out.
Gagliardi expected the green to break from the left side but instead fell a foot short, giving him a double bogey for the final hole and the Lions the win.
Florida Atlantic took sole possession of second place at three-over. The host team, UAB, finished in third with their final round of four-under — the only team to go under on Tuesday.
ASUN opponents Central Arkansas and Lipscomb tied for fourth at six-over for the three rounds. Jacksonville State, Winthrop and Samford finalized the sixth, seventh and eighth spots respectively.
Queens claimed ninth at 25-over while West Georgia claimed 10th just eight strokes back. USC Upstate, SE Louisiana and Alabama State closed out the field.
Ferworn's historic day led the Lions to the win. However, never far behind was Luo with his seventh place finish of 68. Luo putt in five birdies and had a 33 on the front nine while also tying for first for par-5s at six-under. Luo's 208 score is the ninth-best Division I three-round individual tournament total in school history.
Bengtsson dropped to 21st but added two birdies for the final round. Waineby finished in 40th for the tournament at 10-over, while Brady rose five spots on the final day to place 66th. Individual participant Luke Davis finished nine-over day to claim 39th.
"What a day," said Phillips. "A win always feels good, and we did it without our A-Game this week. What a round by Andrew breaking the school record by two. We have a 23-1 to start the year, and I think this team hasn't even reach their level. Excited for this season and can't wait for the next one."
North Alabama competes in the Cullen Brown Collegiate on Monday, Oct. 6 in Lexington, Ky. at the Lexington Country Club.
GMAC Invitational
Limestone Springs Golf Course
Team Leaderboard
1. North Alabama 842 +2
2. Florida Atlantic 843 +3
3. UAB 845 +5
T4. Central Arkansas 846 +6
T4. Lipscomb 846 +6
6. Jacksonville State 848 +8
7. Winthrop 859 +19
8. Samford 862 +22
9. Queens 865 +25
10. West Georgia 873 +33
11. USC Upstate 877 +37
12. SE Louisiana 878 +38
13. Alabama State 923 +83
North Alabama Golfers
T2. Andrew Ferworn 205 | -5
T7. Xing Luo 208 | -2
T21. Sebastian Bengtsson 213 | +3
T40. Walter Waineby 220 | +10
T66. Jedd Brady 228| +18
36. Luke Davis 219 | +9
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
