HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – The Harding men’s golf team earned its highest placement ever in the Gulf South Conference Championship and shot its lowest score in placing eighth with a 909 on Tuesday at the Hot Springs Country Club.
Harding got better as the tournament progressed. The Bisons shot 306 in the first round, 305 in the second round, and closed with a 298. Harding’s three-round score was one stroke better than its previous record of 910 in the 2006 conference championship. The Bisons finished ninth in the event in 2001, 2006 and 2007.
North Alabama, the No. 5-ranked team in NCAA Division II, won the team competition with an 855, 26 strokes better than second place teams West Florida and Valdosta State.
Harding freshman Brandon Cauldwell was the highest finisher for the Bisons. Cauldwell, a native of Ozark, Mo., opened with a 77, then shot an even-par 72 before closing with a one-under 71 to finish at 220 and tied for 12th place. His third round 71 was the best round of his collegiate career. Cauldwell’s three-round score of 220 was the second-best ever by a Bison at the GSC Championship. Dusty Gourley shot 218 in 2008. Cauldwell was honored as the top freshman scorer in the event.
Brett Munson of North Alabama cruised to victory in the individual competition. Munson shot a 12-under 204 to win by six strokes over his teammate Jake Greer (210).
Harding’s Bruce McMullen shot a 73 in round one and duplicated in round three and finished tied for 18th at 224. Lewis Jackson tied for 32nd at 231, Blake Chase was tied for 41st at 234 and Dustin Richter placed 54th at 244.
GSC Championship
Hot Springs Country Club
Hot Springs, Ark.
Dates: 4/18-19/2010
Par 72, 6690 yards
Fin. Team Scores Total Par
8 Harding........................ 306 305 298 909 +45
Fin. Player Team Scores Total Par
t 12 Brandon Cauldwell.... Harding............. 77 72 71 220 +4
t 18 Bruce McMullen....... Harding............. 73 78 73 224 +8
t 32 Lewis Jackson........ Harding............. 76 78 77 231 +15
t 41 Blake Chase.......... Harding............. 80 77 77 234 +18
54 Dustin Richter....... Harding............. 85 81 85 251 +35