BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Michael Riebe’s historic victory at the Watersound Invitational earned the Vanderbilt men’s golfer his second SEC Freshman of the Week honor of the 2025-26 season, the league office announced on Wednesday.
Riebe collected his first collegiate victory to open the 2026 spring season at last week’s Watersound Invitational in Panama City, Florida. The freshman carded 9-under 201 to share medalist honors at the 2026 Watersound Invitational, as his 201 total set the school’s freshman record for lowest 54-hole total. It is also tied for the 12th-lowest three-round total at Vanderbilt, tying him with John Augenstein (2020 Desert Mountain), Jon Curran (2007 NCAA West Regional) and Gordon Sargent (2023 John Hayt Invitational).
The Encinitas, California, native was named SEC Co-Freshman of the Week honors with Mississippi’s Daniel Tolf, who also shared medalist honors at the Watersound Invitational. It is Riebe’s second SEC Freshman of the Week selection this season, while it is Vanderbilt’s fourth SEC weekly honor of the 2025-26 campaign. Riebe was named SEC Co-Freshman of the Week on Sept. 17, while sophomore Ryan Downes was selected as SEC Co-Golfer of the Week and Jon Ed Steed captured SEC Co-Freshman of the Week honors on Oct. 22 to close out the fall season.
Riebe becomes the 25th Vanderbilt golfer to win an individual title this century, while he is the 16th Commodore to earn medalist honors under Limbaugh. He is the first Vandy freshman to win a tournament since Wells Williams captured the Cabo Collegiate title during the 2022-23 season.
Riebe’s win at the Watersound Invitational marks Vanderbilt’s second individual title this season, joining Downes, who won the 2025 Bryson Invitational to close out the 2025 fall campaign.
No. 5 Vanderbilt returns to the golf course this Sunday, as the Commodores make their annual trip south of the border for the Cabo Collegiate.
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