This story comes from this week's WAC Podcast which can be seen HERE

The Tarleton State Texans men’s golf team etched their place in program history. Guided by head coach Chance Cain, the Texans overcame an unsteady start, battled through weather delays, and held their nerve in a pressure-packed final stretch to clinch the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) title - punching their ticket to the NCAA regionals for the first time ever.

The Texans weren't leading after the opening round, but the group never wavered. They regrouped, refocused, and turned the championship into a statement of poise. “It wasn’t how we wanted to start it,” Cain said, “but I think that probably helped us to get back in the flow of focusing on what we need to do and keeping everything in the present.”

The tournament’s closing holes delivered all the drama that defines championship golf. Scores seesawed back and forth, with the lead flipping by a shot at a time before the Texans finally pulled ahead for good. “It was all the way down to the wire in the last three holes,” Cain said. “One shot ahead, one shot back, two shots ahead — it was just back and forth. There was a lot of pressure coming down, and that’s probably the thing I’m most proud of: how the guys handled it.”

The Texans’ Run to History
The week didn’t begin the way Tarleton State envisioned. Instead of letting early miscues spiral, Cain leaned into a simple message: control what you can. “Everything is in our control,” he told his team. “Focus on you. I don’t care about the outside noise.” That steady approach kept the Texans within striking distance after the first round and laid the foundation for their climb to the top.

When storms rolled through and delayed play twice on the final day, Tarleton’s resolve was tested again. But the team embraced the challenge, staying loose and locked in at the same time. “Everybody was composed and did their part,” Cain said. “We did a lot of prep in the last two weeks, and we executed that part very well.”

It was the kind of performance built on trust — in the plan, in the preparation, and in each other. “We’ve got a good group,” Cain said. “Two guys from Midland, two from Spain. The team chemistry is awesome. It’s a group you want to be around — at home, on the road, just competing.”

Freshman Standouts and a Team Effort
Tarleton State’s charge was anchored by freshman Alvaro Pastor, who finished third individually and played well beyond his years. “He’s a very composed player,” Cain said. “He’s exceptional tee to green, and he just kept doing what he’s done all year. There’s no surprise there.”

But the Texans’ success wasn’t about one player. It was a collective push — steady, deliberate, and disciplined across the lineup. From veterans setting the tone to younger players rising to the moment, every score counted. The team’s mix of personalities and backgrounds blended into a culture that thrives under pressure. “It’s a lot of fun with this group,” Cain said. “We love being around each other, and that shows when we compete.”

Now, the Texans head to the NCAA regionals with momentum and belief. “We’re excited to see what we can do at the next level,” Cain said. “We get to go out and compete with the power programs and see what we can do in the next chapter.”

A Freshman Champion Emerges
While Tarleton State lifted the team trophy, UT Arlington’s Arth Sinha delivered an individual performance to remember. The freshman from Florida led wire-to-wire and finished at seven-under-par to capture the WAC individual title.

Sinha’s mindset never wavered, even as storms twice interrupted his final round. “We had two rain delays when I was on the first hole,” he said. “I didn’t even finish the hole and we had to go back in. I had to stay warmed up and stay mentally focused.”

His course strategy was simple and effective. “All the par-fives are gettable,” Sinha said. “You play safe and smart on the par-threes, then give yourself the best chance to make birdie on the par-fives. You have to take advantage of those.”

With a five-shot lead entering the day, Sinha refused to scoreboard-watch. “I just tried to play my own game and not worry about what anyone else was doing,” he said. “I tried to focus on myself the whole day.”

When the final putt dropped, the moment felt like the payoff for a season of close calls. “It means a lot,” Sinha said. “I’ve had a couple of close calls this season — a second, a third, a fifth. It feels really good to finally win.”

Looking Ahead
For Tarleton State, the WAC title marks the beginning of a new standard. The Texans are heading to the NCAA regionals with confidence, chemistry, and a belief that they belong. “We’re excited,” Cain said. “We want to see what we can do on that stage.”

For Sinha, the individual crown is a launching pad. The freshman phenom earned his own NCAA bid and is eager to keep proving himself. “I know I’m good enough to win,” he said. “I just needed to believe it.”

On a week when the weather tried to steal the spotlight, composure and conviction defined the champions. The Texans and Sinha both showed that when the moment gets big, staying present is everything — and now both are headed to the NCAA postseason with their eyes on what’s next.