Laurent Breaks Records, Wins 2026 NCAA Division II Arnold Palmer National Individual Champion Award
BOULDER CITY, Nev. -- Octavio Laurent of USCB claimed the 2026 NCAA Division II Arnold Palmer National Individual Champion Award this evening for earning medalist honors following the NCAA Division II Men’s Golf Championship Stroke Play.
Beginning Wednesday’s final round two shots back, the Bordeaux, France native posted a program-low 63 with nine birdies and no bogeys to propel up the leaderboard and eventually win by four strokes with a program-record 17-under 199 (70-66-63). The Peach Belt Conference (PBC) Co-Player of the Year, Freshman of the Year, First Team All-PBC, and PING All-Southeast Region selection, Laurent led the field with 22 birdies on the week, 17 of which came in the tournament’s final 39 holes. He had separate bogey-free streaks of 21 and 18 during the three rounds en route to earning PING First Team All-America honors.
This is Laurent’s first collegiate victory. He is USCB’s first Arnold Palmer National Individual Champion Award recipient.
Previous Recipients
2025 - Hunter Smith, North Georgia
2024 - Wyatt Provence, West Texas A&M
2023 - Andrew Riley, Palm Beach Atlantic
2022 - Joel Sylven, UMSL
2021 - Keegan Bronnenberg, UIndy
2019 - Michael VanDerLaan, Florida Southern
2018 - John VanDerLaan, Florida Southern
2017 - Chandler Blanchet, West Florida
2016 - Hugo Bernard, Saint Leo
2015 - Sam Migdal, Central Missouri
2014 - Tim Crouch, Florida Southern
2013 - Tim Crouch, Florida Southern
2012 - Josh Creel, Central Oklahoma
2011 - Kyle Souza, Chico State
2010 - Cyril Bouniol, Abilene Christian
2009 - Gavin Smith, IUP
2008 - Jeff Goff, USCA
2007 - Christian Ries, Columbus State
2006 - Jamie Amoretti, St. Mary’s (TX)
2005 - Dane Burkhart, USCA
2004 - J.J. Jakovac, Chico State
2003 - Andrew McArthur, Pfeiffer
2002 - J.J. Jakovac, Chico State
2001 - Steve Sokol, Florida Southern
2000 - Jeff Klauk, Florida Southern
1999 - Matt Saglio, Florida Southern
1998 - Orjan Larsen, West Florida
1997 - Scott Householder, Cal State San Bernardino
1996 - Dax Johnston, Central Oklahoma
1995 - Briny Baird, Valdosta State
1994 - Briny Baird, Valdosta State
1993 - Jeev Singh, Abilene Christian
1992 - Diego Ventureira, Columbus State
About the Arnold & Winnie Palmer Foundation
The Arnold & Winnie Palmer Foundation continues the Palmer family’s mission to champion youth health and development. By continuing their efforts to ensure every child gets the opportunity to live a life well played — through support for nature-focused well-being and character development through golf — the foundation is committed to keeping the Palmer legacy at the forefront of the global conversation of golf and society at large. Learn more at palmerfoundation.org.