The Ducks and Gators turned their biggest losses into their sweetest wins.

Oregon’s women’s golf team wasn’t just playing for a trophy at the East Lake Cup—they were playing for redemption. The Ducks faced Northwestern in the championship match, the same team that knocked them out of the NCAA semifinals just months ago. This time, Oregon dominated 4-1, leaving no doubt who came to win.

The path to the final wasn’t easy. Oregon first eliminated Florida State 3-2 in the semifinals, with standout performances across the board. Kiara Romero crushed her opponent 6&5, while Suvichaya Vinijchaitham and Sophie Han both secured decisive wins. But it was the championship match where the Ducks truly shined, exacting revenge on the reigning national champions.

For Oregon, it’s their first East Lake Cup title—a perfect way to cap off a fall season that’s setting them up as serious contenders for the spring.

Florida’s Gators Finally Break Through

On the men’s side, Florida pulled off back-to-back 3-2 victories, first against Ole Miss in the semifinals, then toppling top-seeded Virginia in the final. It’s the Gators’ first East Lake Cup title in just their second appearance, and the timing couldn’t be sweeter.

The Virginia matchup was personal. These same Cavaliers had ended Florida’s season in the NCAA Championship semifinals last spring with a 3-0 shutout. This time, Florida wasn’t going home empty-handed.

The championship came down to the wire. Parker Bell, facing the world’s No. 1 ranked amateur Ben James, made a clutch 10-foot birdie on the 18th hole to seal the win. Bell had been up four holes with five to play, but James birdied four of the last five to force the drama. Under pressure, Bell delivered when it mattered most.

Weather Turned East Lake Into a Battle

The weather in Atlanta was brutal—so cold that golfers bundled up in pants, jackets, and beanies. It wasn’t your typical Georgia October, but both championship teams showed they could handle whatever conditions were thrown at them. Oregon sophomore Tong An summed it up perfectly: “This weather is so brutal and we needed to stay patient and take each shot at a time.”

What This Means

Both programs are now positioned as teams to watch heading into the spring season. Oregon proved they can beat the best when it counts, and Florida showed they’ve got the mental toughness to win tight matches against elite competition. When spring rolls around, the college golf world would do well to keep an eye on the Gators and Ducks.

Sometimes the best victories are the ones that settle old scores. This week in Atlanta, both Oregon and Florida got exactly that.