What a trophy and setting! Michael La Sasso got his first win
The Hamptons Intercollegiate saw a masterclass performance from Ole Miss, as the Rebels captured both the team and individual titles with dominant efforts across the board. Playing at the prestigious Maidstone Golf Club in East Hampton, New York, Ole Miss posted a collective 54-hole score of 838 (-26), winning by an astounding 20 strokes over their nearest competition. Junior Michael La Sasso led the way, securing his first individual title in commanding fashion with a 15-under-par score of 201, finishing 11 strokes ahead of the field.
Michael La Sasso, a junior from Raleigh, North Carolina, grabbed his first collegiate victory. La Sasso’s second-round 64 (-8) was a tournament highlight, featuring nine birdies and an eagle, propelling him into a commanding lead. He capped off the event with a final-round 69 (-3), bringing his total to 15-under for the tournament. La Sasso's performance was driven by his exceptional play on the par-5s, where he led the field with a scoring average of 3.92. Additionally, his ability to consistently convert birdie opportunities—19 across the event—proved decisive. La Sasso, who had shown promise in his junior and amateur career in North Carolina, including competing in the North Carolina Junior Championship and the AJGA, has firmly established himself as a leader for the Rebels.
While La Sasso’s individual title was the centerpiece, the depth of Ole Miss’s squad was equally impressive. Senior Cohen Trolio, a consistent force for the Rebels this season, secured his second top-five finish of the year with a solo third place at 3-under 213. Trolio’s steady play in challenging conditions, particularly in his second-round 68 (-4), helped solidify Ole Miss’s dominance. Trolio finished the week leading the field in total pars (36), demonstrating his ability to grind out tough holes when the wind and rain tested the field.
Junior Cameron Tankersley, from Dickson, Tennessee, continued his strong season with a tie for fourth at 2-under 214. Tankersley notched 14 birdies across his three rounds, including a solid final-round 71 (-1). His consistency this season has been a hallmark, having finished inside the top 15 in all three of Ole Miss’s tournaments this fall. Tom Fischer, another junior from Birmingham, Alabama, matched Tankersley at 2-under, also tying for fourth. Fischer’s round-two 68 (-4) was a new career-low, and he was exceptional on the par-4s, leading the field with a scoring average of 3.90 on those holes.
Life's a beach: The winning Ole Miss golf team Kye Meeks rounded out the team’s effort with a tie for 15th place, shooting a 1-over 217. Meeks, who battled well in the windy conditions on day one with a 69 (-3), added another highlight to his week by holing out for eagle from the fairway on the 17th hole during his final round.
Florida State and Virginia Show Strong PerformancesBeyond Ole Miss’s impressive showing, Florida State and Virginia battled hard for the runner-up spot, with Florida State ultimately finishing second with a 54-hole score of 858 (-6). FSU’s effort was spearheaded by Gray Albright, who finished tied for seventh at 1-under. Albright posted a final-round 67 (-5), one of the best rounds of the day, vaulting him up the leaderboard. Luke Clanton, the No. 1-ranked amateur in the Golfweek/AmateurGolf.com rankings, finished tied for 15th at 1-over. Clanton’s opening-round 70 (-2) had positioned him well, but he faltered in the final round, carding a 76 (+4) to slip down the standings.
Virginia placed third, just one stroke behind Florida State with a total of 859 (-5). The Cavaliers were led by Deven Patel and Ben James, both of whom tied for seventh at 1-under. Patel and James each showcased their resilience, recovering from slow starts to climb the leaderboard. Patel’s second-round 68 (-4) and James’s consistent play, highlighted by his second-round 67 (-5), gave Virginia a chance to challenge for second place throughout the final day.
The Host Course: Maidstone Golf ClubMaidstone Golf Club, a classic links-style course situated along the Atlantic Ocean. It was designed by Willie Park, Jr., with Ben Crenshaw leading a renovation in 2012. The Long Island course provided a picturesque yet demanding backdrop for the Hamptons Intercollegiate. Known for its seaside winds and rolling terrain, the course put the players' shot-making abilities to the test, particularly during the early rounds when wind and rain swept through East Hampton. Maidstone’s exposed layout forces golfers to strategically maneuver through its hazards while capitalizing on opportunities to score on the par-5s, which played a pivotal role in shaping the leaderboard. Despite the challenges, Ole Miss thrived on this renowned track, showcasing not only their individual talent but also their depth as a team.
Individual Standout PerformancesWhile La Sasso ran away with medalist honors, several other players delivered notable performances. Wake Forest’s Marshall Meisel claimed runner-up honors, finishing at 4-under 212. Meisel’s final-round 69 (-3) moved him into second place, providing a bright spot for the Demon Deacons, who finished fourth as a team.
Arkansas’s Thomas Curry also made a charge, tying for fourth at 2-under. His closing-round 68 (-4) was one of the best scores on the final day, giving him his best finish of the season.
Other notable individual performances included Florida State’s Michael Mays, who tied for ninth at even-par 216 as an individual competitor, and Harvard’s Jeff Fang, who tied for ninth with a steady even-par 216.
Ole Miss’s commanding performance at the Hamptons Intercollegiate marked a significant milestone in their season, and Michael La Sasso’s breakthrough individual win will surely boost the team’s confidence moving forward. Florida State and Virginia battled valiantly for second and third, but the depth and consistency of the Rebels proved too strong. Maidstone Golf Club provided a stunning and challenging venue for the event; it's one of the dozens of prestigious (and very private) Long Island golf clubs but not as challenging as some like its neighbor Shinnecock, which has hosted multiple U.S. Opens.