HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Henderson State, the two-time defending champion of the Great American Conference Men’s Golf Championships, posted a team score of 2-over-par 290 to take the 18-hole lead at the 2016 GAC Championships from Hot Springs Country Club.
Two Reddies broke par as Mauricio Lira, a unanimous First-Team All-GAC selection, and Brice Howard shot matching 71’s to lead the way. Lira carded two birdies against just one bogey while Howard’s round featured three birdies in a four-hole stretch during the middle portion of his round.
Southern Arkansas, led by a sparkling 5-under-par 67 from George Adams, ended Sunday in second place, three shots in back of Henderson State. Adams shot the lowest first-round score in the five-year history of event. He opened with two bogeys in his first five holes, but played the final 13 holes in 7-under, highlighted by an eagle on the par-5 sixth hole and three straight birdies to cap his round. He has held at least a share of the 18-round lead at the GAC Championships three times in his career at SAU.
FIRST ROUND RESULTS || PHOTO GALLERY || SECOND ROUND TEE TIMES
The tight leaderboard saw Arkansas Tech finish the round in third with Southwestern Oklahoma State and Southeastern Oklahoma State tied for fourth. The Wonder Boys trail the Reddies by five shots while the Savage Storm and Bulldogs sit seven back. Tech’s Julio Arguelles made a pair of birdies over his final four holes to come home with an even-par round. SWOSU’s Stefan Idstam, a First-Team All-GAC selection, posted a 1-under 71 to tie for third while Southeastern’s Mason Horner, a fellow First-Team choice, made four birdies en route to an even-par round.
Arkansas-Monticello placed sixth after 18 holes, followed by Southern Nazarene and East Central. UAM’s William Trawick shot a 72 and ECU’s Bryce Newton fired a 1-under 71 with four birdies. Northwestern Oklahoma State and Harding rounded out the team scoring.
Oklahoma Baptist, competing as individuals, saw two players break par. Drew Posada picked up five birdies and shot a 3-under 69. Shane Black added a 71 to share third place.
The second round begins at 7:30 a.m. with golfers from Harding and Northwestern Oklahoma State teeing off first.