University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Golfer Benjamin Fernandez Wins Sun Belt Conference Player of the Month
3/6/2026 2:00:00 PM | Men's Golf
HATTIESBURG, Miss. – Southern Miss junior golfer Benjamin Fernandez (Asuncion, Paraguay) earned the Sun Belt Player of the Month in an announcement by the league office Friday afternoon.
Fernandez opened the spring leg of the season with his best round of his career, shooting a five-under 65 at the Hal Williams Collegiate and finishing in the top three in back-to-back tournaments highlighted by a 68.33 scoring average.
His play helped lead Southern Miss to back-to-back second-place finishes, the first behind No. 13 Illinois at the Hal Williams Collegiate and then again at the Dorado Beach Collegiate where he was just two strokes behind first.
"I am so happy to hear Ben's body of work is being recognized at an elite level," said Southern Miss coach Eddie Brescher. "Since arriving at Southern Miss, Ben has matured and grown into his potential. He handles himself as a professional because he aspires to be one after college.
"Funny story, in both tournaments, Ben had a rules situation where we found his golf ball after three minutes of searching. It's unfortunate that both times it led to Ben carding a triple bogey on the hole. But you would not have guessed it happened because he handled both situations like a professional. (He) Shook it off and still posted a round of par or better both times. I am very proud of him on and off the golf course."
Fernandez finished in third place in both events, ending the Hal Williams Collegiate with a 12-under 198 before collecting a four-under 2-12 in the Dorado Beach Collegiate.
The Golden Eagles return to action March 15-17 at the Seminole Intercollegiate, which will be played at the Seminole Legacy Golf Club in Tallahassee, Fla.
Fernandez opened the spring leg of the season with his best round of his career, shooting a five-under 65 at the Hal Williams Collegiate and finishing in the top three in back-to-back tournaments highlighted by a 68.33 scoring average.
His play helped lead Southern Miss to back-to-back second-place finishes, the first behind No. 13 Illinois at the Hal Williams Collegiate and then again at the Dorado Beach Collegiate where he was just two strokes behind first.
"I am so happy to hear Ben's body of work is being recognized at an elite level," said Southern Miss coach Eddie Brescher. "Since arriving at Southern Miss, Ben has matured and grown into his potential. He handles himself as a professional because he aspires to be one after college.
"Funny story, in both tournaments, Ben had a rules situation where we found his golf ball after three minutes of searching. It's unfortunate that both times it led to Ben carding a triple bogey on the hole. But you would not have guessed it happened because he handled both situations like a professional. (He) Shook it off and still posted a round of par or better both times. I am very proud of him on and off the golf course."
Fernandez finished in third place in both events, ending the Hal Williams Collegiate with a 12-under 198 before collecting a four-under 2-12 in the Dorado Beach Collegiate.
The Golden Eagles return to action March 15-17 at the Seminole Intercollegiate, which will be played at the Seminole Legacy Golf Club in Tallahassee, Fla.
Players Mentioned
/ Men's Golf
Karaoke With The Coaches- Erika Brennan- Women's Golf
Sunday, July 14
Karaoke with the Southern Miss coaches: Julie Gallup
Sunday, July 14
Karaoke with the Coaches- Women's golf head coach Julie Gallup
Sunday, July 14
Southern Miss 101 - Women's Golf
Sunday, July 14