STARKVILLE, MS – AUGUST 23, 2026: The 2026 Gulf States Open was held at Starkville Country Club on August 21-23rd. The tournament field consisted of a full 144-player field made up of the top Professionals and Amateurs from Louisiana & Mississippi. After round two, a cut was made, and the top 53 players advanced to round three.
Former Ole Miss golfer Kye Meeks (p) of Walnut, MS, who started his week with a practice-round course record 61 on Thursday, fired rounds of 67-65-63 for a three-day total of 21-under par, 195, to claim the 2026 Gulf States Open title. Meeks’ final round included a staggering 9 total birdies, with the biggest coming on 18 to secure the championship by one stroke! Benjamin Fernandez (a) of Hattiesburg, MS was our Low Amateur (67-66-63–196) and tied for 2nd overall with Jacob Bergeron (p) of Slidell, LA (67-65-64–196).
Nicholas Arcement (p) from the Country Club of Louisiana (68-69-65–202), Jared Smith (p) from Windance Country Club (64-70-68–202), and Sam Jeffcoat (p) from Tupelo Country Club (65-68-69–202) are the Low PGA Professionals.
Meeks, who was already leading the field in birdies made going into the third round, secured his success on Sunday with nine birdies! His 19 total birdies, 2 eagles, and only 2 bogeys for the whole tournament propelled him to a well-deserved victory.
Starkville Country Club shined as a first-time host of the event, with a golf course worthy of championship play and a brand new clubhouse. The club thoroughly impressed players who were making their first visit to the facility for the Gulf States Open.
Special thanks to Ben Nelson, PGA, Benji Nelson, Seth King, PGA, Dean Leblanc, and Jake Owen of Ben Nelson Golf & Outdoor, as well as everyone at E-Z-GO, plus Carey Weigand and Rick Levy of Edwin Watts for their support and partnership with this tournament. The Gulf States also extends gratitude to General Manager Scott Buntin, PGA; Director of Golf, Zach Tate, PGA; Assistant Golf Professional, Sam Dupiere; Head Golf Course Superintendent Justin Lanford; and the entire Starkville Country Club staff for their hard work in making this a fantastic event.
We look forward to seeing everyone at our next event, the Gulf States PGA Professional Championship at TPC Louisiana in Avondale, LA, on August 31-September 1.
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