COLLINSVILLE, Ill. – The W senior men's golfer Cameron James might lay claim to the old Vanessa Williams hit song "Save the Best for Last," as he had what was, arguably the best tournament of his four-years with MUW in his career finale, winning the 2026 St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC) championship. As a team, the two-time defending SLIAC champion Owls team settled for a runner-up finish in 2026 SLIAC championships, at the Fair Oaks Country Club course.
 
For the MUW squad to have even been in position to battle for the SLIAC title, this year at least, might not have been on too many folks' "BINGO cards." After all, the Owls graduated four of the five members of a lineup that had been together two seasons and produced not just the back-to-back SLIAC titles, but also a pair of top-40 finishes at the NCAA III national championships each year, as well.
 
The lone holdover from that squad?  Cameron James.
 
And James, a native of Royal Palm Beach, Florida, called upon his previous tournament experience to make his last hurrah as a member of The W Golf a memorable one, indeed. James was the wire-to-wire leader in taking medalist honors – which comes with the SLIAC Player of the Year trophy, as well – and first team All-SLIAC status.  
 
After Day 1, James sat in a tie at the top of the leaderboard, posting a two-under-par round of 70. While the second round was halted midway due to weather, and resumed on the final day, James' focus remained singular, as he carded a 6-under 66 for round two, which tied for the second-lowest round ever recorded in the SLIAC championships.
 
James finished the long third day with a final round of 78, still good enough to win the tourney with a 2-under-par aggregate of 214 for his 54 holes. That was two shots clear of runner-up finishers Tyler Wengronowith of Lake Forrest College, the No. 114th ranked player in NCAA III, and Spencer Moody from team champion Grinnell College, both of who shot level par totals of 216.
 
"I am really proud and happy for Cam to finish out his career on top," MUW Head Coach Benji Williams said. "He had some ups-and-downs this season, but in crunch time, he was able to draw on what he learned being a part of two proven lineups."
 
MUW had another first team All-SLIAC finisher with its French connection, junior Alexandre Thery. The native of Charlieu, France, and transfer to the Owls' roster in 2025-26, finished in a four-way logjam for sixth place. Thery's card had rounds of 79-68-73, for a final tally of 4-over, 220.
 
Thery was also selected for the SLIAC All-Sportsmanship Team.
 
Another junior transfer, Bryce Denley (Mandeville, La.), was a second team All-SLIAC honoree by placing tied for 12th place. Denley had back-to-back rounds of 76 for his first 36 holes, but sprinted up eight positions on the leaderboard in round three, with a 72 and a final total of 224.
 
Nicklaus Ledbetter (76-80-79=235) and Collin Jones (76-84-78=238) rounded out MUW's players. Ledbetter and Jones placed tied for 34h and 39th, respectively.
 
In spite of its inexperience in playing together, the surprising Owls' team looked like it might have a chance at a third-consecutive crown, leading by as many as seven strokes in the team race, early in the third round. But Grinnell did not waver and capitalized on some miscues by the Owls. Grinnell finished with a team total of 886, three shots better than The W's 889.
 
"I was very pleased with how hard our guys fought through a tough situation in round two," Williams added. "Unfortunately, it wasn't enough. We dropped too many shots coming down the stretch and Grinnell took advantage of our mistakes, as good teams do."