THE RUNDOWN
The No. 23 Patriots opened the 2026 season in grand fashion with a 16-stroke win at the Houston Classic at the Golf Club of Houston in Humble, Texas. Sam Jenkins led the way for DBU, finishing second in the field and first among players from Division II schools.
 
Sitting atop the leaderboard after the first two rounds, the Patriots dealt with overcast conditions through the second day and added to their 15-stroke advantage, pushing it an additional stroke by the end of the final round. At 14-under, DBU was the only team to finish the tournament under par, 16 shots ahead of second-place Harding at two-over. With the win, the Patriots topped two nationally ranked squads in No. 3 Central Oklahoma (+10) and No. 11 West Texas A&M (+27).
 
Individually, Sam Jenkins put together arguably the best tournament of his career, shooting 68-67-70 for a 205, which included a bogey-free first round. His career-low 11-under score earned him second place, two strokes behind tournament winner Bryant Hiskey II of Division I Houston.
 
Adding to the Patriots' success, Daniel Ferguson (three-under) and Jagger Cole (even par) took a share of fifth and of ninth, respectively, as DBU claimed three spots in the top 10. Deacon Bauerschlag shot four-over for the tournament, good for 19th, and Brecken Franklin went eight-over for 33rd in the field of 90.
 
THREE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
- Tuesday's win is the Patriots' first tournament victory since claiming the 2024 Lone Star Conference Championship.
- Three Patriots (Jagger Cole, Daniel Ferguson, and Sam Jenkins) finished in the top 10 in the Houston Classic, the most in any tournament in the 2025-26 season.
- Freshman Jagger Cole earned his third career top-10 finish.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
-9 - The Patriots shot nine-under on the par-five eighth hole, totaling eight birdies and two eagles.
-11 - Sam Jenkins' score of 11-under is the best strokes-to-par score of his career.
68 - Freshman Daniel Ferguson shot a career-best 68 in the first round of the tournament.
 
DBU HEAD COACH KENNY TRAPP ON THE TEAM TAKING CARE OF THE DETAILS
"What a great week! Just proves when you take the little things seriously every day, the results take care of themselves. Quick turnaround as we head to San Antonio next week. So excited to get back out there!"
 
UP NEXT
The Patriots are back in action next week as they travel to San Antonio for the Rattler Invitational hosted by St. Mary's. The players will tee off on Monday, February 16, at Dominion Country Club.