Troy University Athletics
Tuesday, October 6
Estero, Fla.
All Day
Troy University
vs
West Bay Collegiate
Men’s Golf, Poppell Break Program Records as Trojans Climb Leaderboard at West Bay Collegiate
10/6/2026 2:08:00 PM | Golf (M)
ESTERO, Fla. – Lee Poppell fired a 9-under 63, and Troy carded a 16-under 272, both program records, in Tuesday's final round of the West Bay Collegiate Invitational, hosted by Florida Gulf Coast at the West Bay Course.
Troy jumped four spots up the leaderboard into a tie for third place behind its record round, while Poppell became the second Trojan in as many weeks to set a program record after first-year Jack Lowery tied the low mark with an 8-under at the Argent Financial Classic a week ago.
"Incredible day for the Trojans," head coach Clay Bounds said. "Huge shoutout to Lee for his record-breaking round today. His ability to bounce back after the second 18 and shoot a bogey-free 9-under 63 is something you can't teach. It shows his heart. The whole team played phenomenally in this final round, setting a school record of 16-under. I'm so proud of this team and their resiliency. We're really looking forward to our next event in Miami. Go Trojans!"
Poppell carded a remarkable 10 birdies in his round, shooting 5-under on the back nine and 4-under on the front nine. He finished the tournament with 17 birdies, tied for the most in the field, and climbed into a tie for sixth on the par-4s at 2-under for the week.
He jumped 42 spots on the individual leaderboard into a tie for 24th place overall, becoming the first-ever Troy golfer to shoot 63, regardless of the course's par.
As a team, Troy saw its run of seven straight under-par rounds to open the season end in Monday's second round, but the Trojans responded in dominant fashion, as four of the five golfers on the course shot under-par for the day.
Pablo Gracia and Thomas Crane each had an eagle and four birdies, shooting 69, while Lawton Emblom added his second round in the red of the week, recording four birdies in a round of 71.
Gracia finished tied for 11th at 6-under for the tournament, while Crane joined Poppell in a tie for 24th at 4-under. Emblom and Lowery tied for 43rd at even for the week after Lowery shot a 73 in Tuesday's final round.
Troy's 16-under tied the mark set at the Seminole Intercollegiate in the spring of 2016; there have been three lower total scores, but all were shot on par-71 and par-70 courses.
Florida Gulf Coast won the team title, edging Lipscomb by one stroke as the Eagles shot 33-under as a team, while Troy, Stetson and ULM tied for third at 20-under.
Troy now has a first, second and third-place finish in its three tournaments this season. The Trojans are a combined 55-under par through three events, with 27 of a possible 45 individual rounds in the red.
Team Standings
1. Florida Gulf Coast 276-282-273--831, 2. Lipscomb 277-282-273--832, T3. Troy 281-291-272--844, T3. ULM 285-279-280--844, T3. Stetson 283-283-278--844, 6. Elon 274-293-279--846, 7. UTRGV 283-289-275--847, 8. Florida Atlantic 292-287-269--848, 9. Appalachian State 274-284-291--849, 10. Jacksonville 295-283-277--855, 11. UTSA 292-285-283--860, 12. UCF 289-295-282--866, 13. Houston Christian 289-288-292--869, 14. Lamar 304-296-277--877, 15. West Georgia 300-295-291—886
Troy Individuals
T11. Pablo Gracia 68-73-69—210, T24. Lee Poppell 72-77-63—212, T24. Thomas Crane 70-73-69—212, T43. Lawton Emblom 71-74-71—216, T43. Jack Lowery 72-71-73—216
Players Mentioned
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