Arkansas Tech returned back-to-back team scores of 294 on Monday and Tuesday to earn a share of third place among 14 men’s golf teams in the inaugural Dave Falconer Memorial Classic at Chamberlyne Country Club in Danville.
The Wonder Boys’ 36-hole total of 588 matched East Central University (289-299-588) for third place. Northeastern State University (291-288-579) won the team title by a single shot over runner-up Lindenwood University (286-294-580).
Henderson State University (5th, 286-304-590), Harding University (6th, 302-292-594), Southeastern Oklahoma State University (7th, 295-306-601), Missouri Southern State University (8th, 313-303-616), Ouachita Baptist University (T-9th, 312-305-617) and Pittsburg State University (T-9th, 311-306-617) also finished in the top 10.
Southern Arkansas University (11th, 308-318-626), Lincoln University (12th, 322-305-627), Arkansas Tech’s ‘B’ team (T-13th, 320-317-637) and the University of Arkansas at Monticello (T-13th, 314-323-637) rounded out the team standings.
The individual title went to East Central’s Dakota Robbins, who defeated Paul Colditz and Greg Macauley — both of Lindenwood — in a sudden death playoff. Robbins, Colditz and Macauley finished 36 holes of regulation play with matching totals of 2-under par 142.
Arkansas Tech’s Jack Garrett missed the playoff by one shot. He posted rounds of 70 and 73 to finish at 1-under 143. Garrett finished tied for fourth.
Parker Hale (T-11th, 72-74-146), Graham Rucker (T-17th, 74-74-148), Jason Purdy (T-30th, 78-73-151) and Conner Smith (T-50th, 84-75-159) also competed for the Wonder Boys in the event.
Slade Hames (T-7th, 73-71-144), Kyle Barton (T-44th, 75-81-156), Dillon Young (T-63rd, 88-76-164) and Colton Dillard (69th, 84-89-173) represented Arkansas Tech on its ‘B’ team during the Dave Falconer Memorial.
Falconer, who passed away on June 11, 2011, served as head men’s golf coach at Arkansas Tech from 1989-2011. He is the only coach to ever lead a team from Arkansas to the Gulf South Conference men’s golf championship. The Wonder Boys earned that title in 2004.
He also led the Arkansas Tech men’s golf program to four Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference titles (1992, 1993, 1994 and 1995), three berths in the NAIA National Tournament (1993, 1994 and 1995) and seven appearances in NCAA Division II postseason competition (1998, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2009 and 2010).
Falconer was succeeded as head men’s golf coach by Luke Calcatera, who played golf for Falconer at Arkansas Tech from 2003-07. Calcatera is in his first season as Wonder Boys head golf coach.
Arkansas Tech will continue its 2011-12 men’s golf season by competing in the Mulerider Invitational, which will be hosted by Southern Arkansas University at the Texarkana Golf Ranch in Texarkana, Texas, April 2-3.
Click here to learn more about the Wonder Boys golf program.
]]>
