STOCKTON, Calif. – The Chico State men's golf team delivered a dramatic finish at the 2026 CCAA Championship, rallying in the final round and defeating Cal State San Bernardino in a playoff to capture its first conference title since 2018. After dropping a playoff against the Coyotes last week at the Hanny Stanislaus Invite, the Wildcats got their revenge in a massive way, hoisting the CCAA trophy in comeback fashion. 

Entering the final round three strokes back, the Wildcats battled difficult, rain-soaked conditions at The Reserves at Spanos Park. The entire field struggled on the back nine as steady rain impacted scoring, but Chico State remained within striking distance throughout the day.

Ty Weaver and Giuseppe Aliotti led the charge, both playing the back nine at even par to keep the Wildcats in contention. Weaver turned in one of the standout performances of the day, recording a hole-out eagle on the par-5 second hole and going bogey-free on the front nine en route to a final round tournament-low of 70 (-2).

Aliotti followed with a steady round of 72 (E), applying pressure to the Coyotes down the stretch as both teams battled side-by-side. 

Naoki Easterday recovered from an early bogey with three birdies on the back nine to finish with a 72 (E), while Alex LemMon (77, +5) and Vineet Vallamsetty (78, +6) rounded out the Wildcats' scoring. 

Chico State posted a final-round team score of 291 (+3), capitalizing on late miscues from Cal State San Bernardino. The Coyotes, who held a late lead, faltered on the closing holes with two bogeys and a double bogey, forcing a playoff between the two teams.

Three playoff holes later, the Wildcats emerged victorious, securing the program's third CCAA championship and first since 2018. Guiseppe Aliotti and Ty Weaver earned medalist finishes in a tie for 3^rd, while Naoki Easterday claimed a 5^thplace finish. Easterday leads the squad with seven top-five finishes, while Weaver snagged his second and Aliotti his first of the season.
 
With the conference title in hand, Chico State will return to The Reserve at Spanos Park for the NCAA West/South Central Super Regional, set for May 7–9. The Wildcats will look to carry their momentum into postseason play.