Stanford Surges to Lead at Prestige Golf Tournament

Late La Quinta resident Johnny Brande honored with new award at annual college event.

Feb. 20, 2026 at 1:31pm

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The Stanford men's golf team improved by five shots on the second day of the annual Prestige tournament in La Quinta, California, taking the lead in the prestigious college golf event. The tournament also featured the introduction of a new award honoring the late Johnny Brande, a local aspiring golfer from Palm Desert.

Why it matters

The Prestige is one of the top college golf tournaments, attracting many of the best teams and players in the country. Stanford's strong second-round performance puts them in prime position to win the event, which would be a significant accomplishment. Additionally, the new award honoring Johnny Brande highlights the tournament's commitment to recognizing local golf talent and community involvement.

The details

Stanford shot a team score of 276 on the second day of the Prestige, a five-shot improvement from their opening round. This vaulted them to the top of the leaderboard in the 54-hole event. The tournament also introduced a new award named after the late Johnny Brande, a La Quinta resident and aspiring golfer who was passionate about the Prestige event.

  • The Prestige tournament is held annually in La Quinta, California.
  • The 2026 edition of the Prestige took place from February 16-18.

The players

Stanford University

A prestigious university with a strong men's golf program that is currently leading the Prestige tournament.

Johnny Brande

A late aspiring golfer from Palm Desert, California, who was passionate about the Prestige tournament and is being honored with a new award at the event.

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What they’re saying

“The Prestige is such a special event, and we're honored to have this new award recognizing Johnny's love for the game and this tournament.”

— Gordon Smith, Prestige Tournament Director

What’s next

The final round of the Prestige tournament will take place on February 18, with Stanford looking to hold onto their lead and claim the championship.

The takeaway

Stanford's strong performance at the Prestige tournament, combined with the introduction of a new award honoring a local golf enthusiast, highlights the event's continued significance in the college golf landscape and its commitment to recognizing both athletic excellence and community involvement.