ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. – Elizabeth City State University opened its 2026-27 men's golf season with a strong showing at the Don Scalf Memorial, placing Third overall in the five-team field at Belmont Lake Golf Club.

The Vikings finished the 36-hole tournament with a team score of 601 (+24), just four strokes behind host N.C. Wesleyan for third place. Pfeiffer captured the team championship with an even-par 576, followed by Chowan's B team at 594 (+18) and N.C. Wesleyan at 601 (+25).

Leading the way for ECSU was Daniel Byers, who put together one of the top performances in the field. Byers finished third overall after firing an even-par 144 over two rounds, earning a spot on the individual podium.

Byers finished just three strokes behind individual champion Wyatt Reeder of Pfeiffer, who carded a three-under-par 141. Pfeiffer's Ryan McQuarrie placed second at one-under 143, leaving Byers only one shot outside the runner-up position.

The third-place team finish gives the Vikings a solid start to the fall portion of their schedule and an early measuring point against regional competition.

Elizabeth City State returns to the course Oct. 4-6 for the Richard Randleman Intercollegiate at The Country Club of Salisbury in Salisbury, North Carolina.