The LaGrange College men's golf team was started in 1993 under current head coach Lee Richter. During his tenure, the Panthers have had much success as a team and individually.

The Panthers made school history during the 2004 spring schedule. They became the first Panther team to earn an invitation to an NCAA championship event. The Panthers finished the season ranked 20th in the nation by Golfstat. During the season, the Panthers did not finish out of the top 10 in any event. They won the Emory Spring Invitational, defeating a field that included eventual national champion Gustavus Adolphus.

Beginning in 1995, the Panthers began a string of successes, including three runner-up finishes in 1998, 1999 and 2001. Also in 1999, the team finished the season ranked for the first time in school history, finishing 24th in the final NAIA rankings. In 2000, the team received its first bid to compete in the NAIA National Championship and finished 11th. GolfStat ranked the 2000 team seventh in the nation in NCAA III, because of its dual affiliation and participation in two Division III tournaments. The Panthers capped this successful run by winning the 2003 United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) National Championship Tournament by a staggering 65 shots.

Individually, the Panthers have had a great deal of success in tournaments and accumulated many post-season honors. In 2000, Per Classon finished tied for fifth at the NAIA National Tournament and was named All-American, a first for the LC golf program. In addition, Jason Smith was named an Academic All-American in 2000 and 2001, an honor also granted to Bjorn Nilsson in 1999.

Over the years, many LaGrange College golfers have made All-Tournament teams and posted low scores at a large number of tournaments. Recently, LC has had much success placing team members on post-season rosters. Six players have been named to the All-Southeast Region Team in the last seven years. Brittain Vaughn was chosen in 1994, and Per Classon was picked in 1998 and 1999. Bjorn Nilsson and Marco Nebiker were named in 1999, and Martin Bengtsson and Henrik Larsson were chosen in 2001.

The LaGrange College golf team received recognition during fall pre-season play in 2001 when they were ranked No. 1 in the nation by Golfstat's NCAA Division III poll. The team also was ranked fifth in Golfstat's NAIA poll and 12th in the official NAIA rankings.

Coach Richter was named Region Coach of the Year for the Southeast Region in 1999 because of the tremendous success of his team, evidenced by the final ranking of the Panthers. He played golf for Alexander City (Ala.) Community College, where he was selected to the All-Conference and All-Region teams in 1975. He then went to Troy (Ala.) State, where he was a member of the 1976 and 1977 National Championship golf teams and was selected to the All-District golf teams in 1977 and 1978. Richter was named All-American in 1978.

The Panthers are very fortunate to have five home courses, all within 20 minutes of campus (and one just 2 miles away). Along with 36- and 54-hole events, LaGrange also plays some 18-hole contests that are held at Overlook Links and at Callaway Gardens. Teams love to come and play Callaway Gardens; therefore, tough competition is easy to find. Some of the opposing teams include Central Alabama, Wallace College and Auburn. These are just three out of about 15 schools that visit yearly.

LaGrange College recruits within the framework of its strong academic philosophy. The Financial Aid Office will work very closely with you to help you find financial assistance. If you are interested in our program, please contact us at (706) 880-8343 for more information.