A&M-Victoria golf teams to host Claud Jacobs Collegiate Invitational presented by Edward Jones-French Wealth Management and Discover Victoria
The Texas A&M University-Victoria men's and women's golf teams are set to tee off in their first tournament of the spring next week.
The Jaguars host their annual Claud Jacobs Collegiate Invitational presented by Edward Jones-French Wealth Management and Discover Victoria Feb. 16-17 at Victoria Country Club. The tournament begins at 8:30 a.m. both days.
The men are seeking their first win at their home tournament since 2023 after finishing second in each of the last two seasons. The women finished fourth last year.
"Our guys are very eager to get going here," said head coach Alex Acosta. "There's a lot of excitement with not only the players, but the community. Overall, there's no better way to start than at home and representing Claud Jacobs."
Scouting the men
A&M-Victoria is coming off a strong fall which saw them finish in the Top 5 in three of the four tournaments they played in the fall.
The only tournament the Jaguars didn't finish in the Top 5 also turned out to be a record-setting week at the Poss High Country Shootout in Ruidoso, New Mexico. The Jaguars shot a three-round total of 842 (283-280-279) to set a new program record for lowest 54-hole total score and lowest tournament score to par (22-under) at The Links at Sierra Blanca that week.
Senior Paul Chopin closed the tournament strong, tying the single-round record of 65 to go 67-72-65—204. Junior Brandon Gratton matched Chopin's 204, going 71-67-66 as the two finished in a tie for 11th. Their respective 12-under par tournament totals tied the tournament record score to par set by Joshua Van der Wath last year.
The last time out, A&M-Victoria finished second at Louisiana Christian's Wildcat Invitational at Links on the Bayou after all five players finished inside the Top 20 and four inside the Top 15.
The Jaguars shot rounds of 291-282-289—862 to beat four other Red River Athletic Conference teams (A&M-Texarkana, A&M-San Antonio, Louisiana Christian, Jarvis Christian).
Brandon Gratton, who finished third last time out, leads the men sitting at No. 95 in the country according to Scoreboard. He's posted a 72.1 adjusted scoring average this year to set the pace for A&M-Victoria.
The field will be tough, though, with NCAA Division I (University of Houston) and II (Southeastern Oklahoma State) golfers, and ranked teams like Texas Wesleyan (NAIA No. 20), Weatherford College (NJCAA No. 7) and New Mexico Military Institute (NAIA No. 19) taking to the course.
Scouting the Women
The Jaguars are led by Kaitlin Lopez, Laney Glass and Madeline Pate.
Pate has led the Jaguars this season. The sophomore has posted three career Top 10 finishes.
This will be the last home tournament for Lopez and Glass.
Lopez, a native of San Antonio, helped A&M-Victoria to a tie for second place in 2024 at the Claud Jacobs. She's currently having a career season with an 85.5 adjusted scoring average.
The Jaguars are set to face No. 16 Texas Wesleyan, A&M-Texarkana, Wayland Baptist and Central Christian College during the two-day event.
How to support
Golf fans are encouraged to come out to VCC Monday and Tuesday. There is no charge for admission!
Can't make it to the course? Follow along with men's live stats and women's live stats on Scoreboard.