Arkansas Tech University’s Austin Smith fired rounds of 66 and 73 for a 36-hole total of 3-under par 139 and sole possession of third place in the final individual standings at the 2016 Natural State Classic, which was played on Monday and Tuesday at Red Apple Inn and Country Club in Heber Springs.
Smith finished one stroke behind Southern Arkansas University’s Kirk Peterson and Southeastern Oklahoma State University’s Mason Horner. They finished with matching totals of 4-under 138. Peterson won the individual title in a playoff.
It was the fifth top-10 finish of the 2015-16 season for Smith, a junior from Russellville.
The Wonder Boys finished fifth among an 11-team field after posting team scores of 291-289 for a 580 total. Henderson State University earned its second consecutive team title at the Natural State Classic. The Reddies accumulated a 567 total for a one-stroke victory over runner-up Southeastern Oklahoma State.
Jordan Hawkes (T-24th, 75-72-147), Bryce Burke (T-24th, 74-73-147), Dylan Lovell (T-28th, 77-71-148) and Julio Arguelles (T-39th, 76-75-151) also contributed to Arkansas Tech’s team score.
The Wonder Boys will compete in the Great American Conference Championships beginning on Sunday, April 24, at Hot Springs Country Club.
