HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Led by subpar rounds by Brian Belz and Graham Rucker, Arkansas Tech surged to the top of the leaderboard following the first round of the 2013 Great American Conference Men’s Golf Championships on Sunday from Hot Springs Country Club.
Belz made seven birdies in carding a round of 2-under par 70 to finish the day in third place. Rucker shot a 1-under 71 and Jason Purdy shot a 75 to help the Wonder Boys to a team score of 296 - one shot off the lowest team score in the brief history of the GAC Championships.
Defending team champion Southwestern Oklahoma State finished Sunday seven shots in back of Arkansas Tech with a team score of 303. Vincent Stong led the team with a 74 to finish the day tied for seventh place. Wouter MyBurgh shot 75. Harding closely followed SWOSU, shooting a combined 304. Alex Williamson matched Stong with a 74, Lucas Collins shot 75 and Nathan Kannenberg registered a 76 to lead the way for the Bisons.
Henderson State and Arkansas-Monticello ended the first round in fourth and fifth, respectively. Defending individual medalist Matt Jennings recorded the Reddies’ low score of the day, a 74. The Boll Weevils’ Theodor Karlsson made six birdies and broke par with a 1-under 71 to tie Rucker for fourth place.
Southern Arkansas, Southeastern Oklahoma State, Ouachita Baptist and East Central took sixth through ninth, separated by only one shot each. The Muleriders’ George Adams and Ouachita Baptist’s Drew Greenwood each shot matching 3-under par 69s to share the individual lead. Adams played the par-4s in an average of 3.70 and Greenwood made six birdies during his round.
Southern Nazarene and Northwestern Oklahoma State’s golfers are competing as individuals for the event. The Crimson Storm’s Blake Jackson posted the best strong between the two squads with an even-par 72.
Second-round play begins Monday at 8 a.m. with East Central and Northwestern Oklahoma State teeing off first.
2013 GAC Men's Golf Championships - First Round Results
2013 GAC Men's Golf Championships - Second Round Tee Times