The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
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UAB Captures GMAC Invitational Championship
9/22/2026 9:24:00 PM | Men's Golf
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The UAB men's golf team returned to the winner's circle Tuesday, capturing the GMAC Invitational championship at Inverness Country Club for the Blazers' first tournament victory in four years.
UAB entered Tuesday's final round holding a five-shot advantage and left little doubt down the stretch, firing an 8-under 272 to finish the three-day event at 15-under par (274-279-272—825). The Blazers finished nine strokes ahead of runner-up Western Kentucky (-6) and 16 shots clear of third-place Jacksonville State (+1).
The Blazers' depth proved to be the difference, with four of UAB's five golfers finishing inside the top 11 individually.
Alejandro Fierro and Leo Lavalle led the way, tying for fourth at 4-under par. Fierro was under par in all three rounds, carding rounds of 69-68-69, while Lavalle saved his best for last with a 5-under 65 on Tuesday, the lowest round by a Blazer during the tournament.
Patrick Delaney joined them inside the top 10, tying for eighth at 3-under following rounds of 67-73-67. Ed Davis gave UAB its fourth player under par, finishing tied for 11th at 2-under with rounds of 68-69-71.
The Blazers were at their best when it mattered most on Tuesday. Lavalle's 65 and Delaney's 67 were joined by Fierro's 69, while Davis' 71 rounded out the four counting scores and gave UAB its tournament-best 272.
"I am so proud of my team for winning the GMAC in wire to wire fashion." Coach Charlie Hoyle said. "We shot the round of the day each round and saved the best til last. We had the pressure of being the host school and handled that with pressure well. The guys responded to the challenge the final round and came out firing on all cylinders."
UAB's championship performance was built on consistency throughout the lineup. The Blazers led the 13-team field in par-3 scoring (3.02) and par-4 scoring (4.05) while tying for second in par-5 scoring at 11-under. UAB also recorded 44 birdies, tied for third-most in the field.
More importantly, the Blazers limited costly mistakes throughout the 54-hole event. UAB recorded a tournament-low 34 bogeys and just five double bogeys or worse, also the fewest in the field. Despite Western Kentucky recording a tournament-best 55 birdies, 11 more than UAB, the Blazers' steady play helped them finish nine strokes clear of the Hilltoppers.
Individually, Fierro was among the tournament's best on the par 4s, playing them at 3-under, while Lavalle tied for second in the field in par-3 scoring at 2-under. Fierro and Lavalle each played the par 5s at 3-under.
"We are excited about this group and how coachable and talented they are. We are looking forward to the rest of the fall campaign. Go Blazers." Hoyle said.
UAB now turns its attention to the Bryan Brothers Collegiate, hosted by South Carolina on Sept. 28-29 in Columbia, South Carolina.
UAB Individual Results
T4. Alejandro Fierro — 69-68-69—206 (-4)
T4. Leo Lavalle — 70-71-65—206 (-4)
T8. Patrick Delaney — 67-73-67—207 (-3)
T11. Ed Davis — 68-69-71—208 (-2)
T48. Clipper Salmon — 76-71-74—221 (+11)
