#USA #Cabo San Lucas #Sport Fishing Championship #Scottie Scheffler #Texas Lone Stars

Texas Lone Stars Angling Club Triumphs in Zane Grey Championship Playoffs

The Texas Lone Stars Angling Club achieved a remarkable victory at the Zane Grey Championship Playoffs, solidifying their status at the top of the Sport Fishing Championship (SFC) world. This triumph marks the conclusion of the inaugural season under the league's innovative closed professional format, showcasing 14 professional angling clubs across two competitive divisions: Atlantic and Gulf.

Owned by Scottie Scheffler, the world’s top-ranked golfer and a four-time major champion, the Lone Stars endured a tumultuous start to the 2025 season. Scottie expressed immense pride in the team’s determination and skill, stating, "I'm incredibly proud of the club for winning the season championship in our inaugural year of competition. Their resilience and talent truly shone through, especially given our challenging start."

The Lone Stars faced several obstacles early on, including consecutive last-place finishes and mechanical issues with their boats. This adversity was compounded by the need for an extensive refit of their main vessel, which required an accelerated timeline to ensure the club would be ready for the second half of the season.

Despite these setbacks, the Lone Stars persevered. They excelled in the playoffs, ultimately clinching victory against notable rivals such as the Gulf Coast Cowboys—co-owned by country music star Brian Kelley—and the Mississippi Blues, co-owned by golf stars Talor Gooch and Harold Varner III.

Captain Spencer Johnson, leading the Lone Stars, recalled the efforts that went into restoring their boat, mentioning, "I was personally sanding and grinding on the boat to ensure we would get back in time. We knew that once we had our boat back, we would have a legitimate shot at making the playoffs."

The regular season comprised six tournaments per division, with the top two clubs from each division qualifying for the Zane Grey Championship playoffs held in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Each event was streamed live on ESPN+, showcasing the excitement of competitive sport fishing to viewers at home.

In the end, the Texas Lone Stars released an impressive 41 striped marlin and one blue marlin during the two days of playoffs, totaling 4,550 points—enough to surpass their rivals in a thrilling finish. The team’s historical experience fishing in Cabo San Lucas played a crucial role in their success, as they had previously caught and released thousands of billfish in the renowned fishing locale.

"This year's Zane Grey Championship Playoffs resembled a prize fight, with each squad trading blows with every fish caught," remarked SFC Commissioner Mark Neifeld, congratulating the Lone Stars on a hard-fought victory amid the league's most competitive season to date.

Over the duration of the competition, a combined total of 165 billfish were released, highlighting why Cabo San Lucas is famously known as "the striped marlin capital of the world." Captain Johnson emphasized the unique fishing conditions, stating, "There is no other fishery like this anywhere in the world. All four clubs in the tournament were battling in the same vicinity, knowing that the next release might be the one to seal the victory for us."

Fans can look forward to the SFC AWARDS broadcast on Christmas Day, December 25, at 8 PM EST, where the league will highlight the season's remarkable moments and competitors who made the 2025 SFC season such a memorable success.

Playoff Final Results

• - Texas Lone Stars Angling Club: 4,550 Points
• - Third Coast Renegades Angling Club: 4,400 Points
• - New Jersey Sea Birds Angling Club: 4,000 Points
• - Lights Out Boston Angling Club: 3,825 Points

About the Sport Fishing Championship

Founded in 2021, the Sport Fishing Championship (SFC) is dedicated to competitive sportfishing, with 16 regions competing across North America. The organization aims to grow the sport and engage fans through innovative digital platforms, providing unparalleled access to live events, fishing content, and an exciting team format led by celebrities.