University of South Carolina Upstate Athletics
Golfweek Fall Challenge
Spartans Set for Golfweek Fall Challenge
9/5/2026 12:36:00 PM | Men's Golf, Women's Golf
Tournament Information
Tournament: Golfweek Fall Challenge
Dates: Sept. 6-8
Location: Pawleys Island, S.C.
Men's Course: True Blue Golf Club
Women's Course: Caledonia Golf & Fish Club
PAWLEYS ISLAND, S.C. – The USC Upstate men's and women's golf teams are set to return to competition this weekend, as both squads travel to Pawleys Island, S.C., for the Golfweek Fall Challenge beginning Sunday, Sept. 6.
The three-day tournament will run through Tuesday, Sept. 8, with the men's competition taking place at True Blue Golf Club and the women's tournament being contested at Caledonia Golf & Fish Club. Both tournaments will provide the Spartans with an early opportunity to test themselves against strong fields as the 2026-27 season gets underway.
The men's team enters the tournament looking to build on a historic 2025-26 campaign. The Spartans finished as the Big South Conference runner-up last season after advancing to the championship match of the conference tournament for the second consecutive year. Upstate also earned its first-ever Big South championship in 2025 and advanced to an NCAA Regional.
Senior Alec Prentice returns to lead an experienced men's group. Prentice, a former Big South Freshman of the Year, has established himself as one of the Spartans' top performers throughout his career, while the Spartans welcome a mix of returning veterans and newcomers to the lineup.Â
Head coach Todd Lawton enters his 22nd season leading the Spartans after recently signing a contract extension that will keep him at the helm of both Upstate golf programs. Under Lawton, the men's program has continued to establish itself as a championship contender within the Big South.Â
The women's team, meanwhile, enters the Golfweek Fall Challenge with momentum from its opening event of the season and a veteran presence at the top of the lineup. Seniors Madison Dixon and Supatta Puttanavarat return to anchor a squad that Lawton believes has the experience and depth to compete throughout the fall.
"Our schedule is a good mix with high-level competition," Lawton said when announcing the fall schedule. "Our mix of new faces and experienced Spartans will give us the opportunity to compete across the board."
The Golfweek Fall Challenge has become a familiar stop for the Spartans. Last season, Upstate's men's team finished 11th in a 13-team field, led by Jackson Stone's 14th-place individual finish and Alec Prentice's five-under-par performance. On the women's side, Rylie Kosney led the Spartans with a 225, while Supatta Puttanavarat and Madison Dixon also contributed strong performances. (
For the women, the tournament will also serve as an opportunity to continue building chemistry early in the season. Upstate's fall schedule includes additional trips to the Elon Invitational and Haskins Award Invitational before the Spartans host both The Carolina Cup and Fripp Island Intercollegiate later in the fall.Â
The men's schedule will continue with the GMAC Invitational on Sept. 20-22 before Upstate hosts The Carolina Cup and the Fripp Island Intercollegiate later in the fall.Â
With both programs entering the new season with championship aspirations, the Golfweek Fall Challenge will provide the first opportunity for the Spartans to measure themselves against quality competition and begin establishing the foundation for another successful season.
