SEARCY – Following a playoff for the fifth and final spot on the squad, the Harding men’s golf team has its lineup set for the Gulf South Conference Championship, a three-round event that begins Monday at the Hot Springs (Ark.) Country Club.
The final spot came down to an 18-hole playoff between sophomore Dustin Richter and freshman Ryan Hadash. Richter won the playoff by one stroke and will join freshman Blake Chase, sophomore Bruce McMullen, freshman Lewis Jackson and freshman Brandon Cauldwell.
The Bisons enter the conference tournament one week after placing sixth of 12 teams at the Natural State Golf Classic, held at Red Apple Country Club in Heber Springs, Ark.
Harding comes into the tournament ranked 108th in Division II, the seventh-highest ranking among GSC teams. North Alabama, who won the Natural State Golf Classic by 23 strokes, is the favorite. The Lions are ranked third in the NCAA South Region and fifth nationally.
Below is Harding’s lineup with their 2009-10 stroke average:
Name Class Rounds Avg.
Blake Chase FR 20 76.1
Bruce McMullen SO 20 76.7
Lewis Jackson FR 19 77.2
Brandon Cauldwell FR 17 77.6
Dustin Richter SO 20 79.3
Last year Harding placed ninth of 13 teams with a three-round score of 925. North Alabama won the event at 863.