When Matthis Lefèvre stands over a putt, he's thinking about more than the next stroke. His mind often drifts to the long road that brought him from Hossegor, France, across the Atlantic to the United States—through the windswept plains of eastern New Mexico, the mountains of northwest Arkansas and, now, the sun-soaked fairways of Central Florida.
Golf has taken Lefèvre across continents, tested his resolve and rewarded his persistence. At Stetson University, it has also given him a renewed sense of purpose.
"I guess the best part is remembering where I come from and the work done to get to that level," Lefèvre said. "There have been a lot of sacrifices that have led to amazing things, like getting a chance to come to the U.S. and winning several times in college, as well as a professional win as an amateur."
Now pursuing his Master of Business Administration while competing for the Hatters, Lefèvre has quickly made his presence felt. He emerged as Stetson's top golfer during the fall season, leading the Hatters in four of five tournaments and posting a team-low 70.0 scoring average. He finished at par or better in 11 of his 14 rounds and captured the individual title at the Furman Intercollegiate, cementing himself as one of the program's leaders.
Next Up For The Hatters
Stetson men's golf opens its spring season Sunday when it joins teams from Appalachian State, Army, Bryant, Butler, Elon, George Mason, George Washington, Georgia State, Illinois State, UNC Greensboro, Old Dominion, Providence, Southern Mississippi and Temple at the Dorado Beach Collegiate on the 7,192-yard, par 72 East Course at TPC Dorado Beach in Puerto Rico. The 54-hole tournament takes place Sunday-Tuesday (Feb. 22-24) with one 18 hole round per day. Live scoring is available by clicking here.
Inspired by greatness
Lefèvre's love for the game began long before his collegiate success. Growing up in southwestern France, he found inspiration in one of golf's most recognizable stars.
"I have to admit that Rory McIlroy is the reason I still play golf and never gave up," Lefèvre said. "He made the sport look so beautiful that I had to give it a chance."
That admiration soon turned into motivation. Early mornings, long practice sessions and an unwavering belief in his potential eventually led to one of the defining moments of his career. In 2022, Lefèvre won the New Mexico Open, becoming the first amateur to claim the title since 1968 and just the sixth amateur champion in the event's 71-year history.
"When I won the New Mexico Open, it really felt like a dream come true," he said. "Seeing my name on the same trophy as Lee Trevino is really special. That feeling was so amazing that I kept working hard to try to make it happen again."
Finding a home at Stetson
Lefèvre began his college career at New Mexico Junior College in Hobbs, New Mexico, where he was named the 2023 GCAA/NJCAA Jack Nicklaus Award winner as the nation's top junior college golfer. He later transferred to Arkansas, tying for 17th at the SEC Championships and twice earning recognition on the SEC Academic Honor Roll.
After graduating from Arkansas with remaining NCAA eligibility, Lefèvre sought a place that aligned with both his academic and athletic ambitions.
"In addition to (Stetson) having a strong graduate business program, Florida is a great place to play golf, and I liked the ambition of the program to strive to get better and succeed at a very high level," he said.
At Stetson, he found exactly that.
"It is an honor to play golf at Stetson," Lefèvre said. "We have great guys with very good chemistry who all believe we can achieve great things."
That belief has translated into results, and Lefèvre sees the team's potential growing with each round.
"I'm excited to compete with my teammates and, eventually, if we work hard enough and get done what needs to be done, win tournaments with them," he said.
The daily grind
Lefèvre describes himself not by trophies or accolades, but by consistency and discipline.
"I really enjoy staying busy and accomplishing things," he said. "For me, waking up early and making my bed is an accomplishment. I have a lot of small goals every day that, if I accomplish them, it was a good day."
Golf, he says, has reinforced that mindset.
"Resilience is the biggest lesson," Lefèvre said. "Work hard for what you want. Most things won't come to you like a miracle."
That perspective has also shaped how he views potential—both his own and others'.
"I realized there is no limit and very rarely room for excuses," he said. "If you want to run faster, you practice and run faster. If you want to lose weight, you can lose weight. That's the beauty of humanity."
Looking ahead
For Lefèvre, golf is both a pursuit and a platform—a way to challenge himself while building a future beyond the fairways.
"My goals are to have a wife that loves me, beautiful kids that love their dad, and a life that I love," he said. "The MBA degree I will get could help me, and if I decide to become a professional golfer, Stetson is helping me reach my best level."
Wherever the game takes him next, Lefèvre remains grounded in the journey that shaped him.
"Remembering where we come from and the work done to get to that level," he said, "that's what keeps me going."
About Stetson Athletics
At Stetson University, student-athletes don't just compete—they thrive. Located in historic DeLand, Florida, between Orlando and Daytona Beach, Stetson offers the perfect blend of competitive athletics, academic excellence, and an unbeatable Central Florida lifestyle. As the oldest private university in the region, Stetson supports approximately 500 student-athletes across 19 NCAA Division I sports. Nicknamed the "Hatters" after the institution's namesake John B. Stetson, a hat manufacturer who originated the modern-day cowboy hat, most Stetson athletic teams compete in the Atlantic Sun Conference, where they proudly hold the longest active membership since 1985. With top-tier facilities, personalized support, and a welcoming campus community, Stetson is where students can grow, compete, and succeed. Learn more at GoHatters.com or follow social media accounts @StetsonHatters.
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