WONDER BOYS CONCLUDE REGULAR SEASON WITH FIRST-PLACE FINISH AT HARDING'S NATURAL STATE GOLF CLASSIC

        HEBER SPRINGS, Arkansas – Arkansas Tech Men’s Golf closed out its regular season here Tuesday with a strong performance at the Natural State Golf Classic hosted by Harding University at the Red Apple Inn and Country Club.

Tech took home the team title as the Wonder Boys shot a season-best 562 to finish six shots under par as a team. Tech opened the two-day meet by firing a 10-under par 274 on Monday and then shot a four-over par 288 in Tuesday’s final round. Henderson State finished second as the Reddies carded a 578 for the two-day event, while Arkansas-Fort Smith finished third as they shot a 588.

Leading the way for the Wonder Boys was junior Jarred Carlyle (Nashville, Ark.), who fired a six-under par 136 to take home individual medalist honors. Carlyle opened the tournament by firing a two-under 69 and then shot a four-under par 67 in the final round. Henderson State’s Ben Cuzen finished second as he shot a four-under par 138.

Carlyle was one of three Tech golfers to finish the tournament with under-par scores. In addition to Carlyle, junior B.J. Hawkins (Winnsboro, Texas) shot a two-under par 140 to finish in third place, while sophomore Jonathon Spikes (Danville, Ark.) carded a one-under par 141 to finish tied for fourth place. Hawkins opened the tournament with a four-under par 67 and then carded a score of two-over par 73 in Tuesday’s final round, while Spikes shot a three-under par 68 in the first round and fired a two-over par 73 in the final round.

Other Tech finishers included junior Taylor Wallner (Fayetteville, Ark.), who shot a five-over par 147 (70, 77) to finish tied for 12th place, while junior Scott Genoway (Calgary, Alberta) carded a six-over par 148 (73, 75) to finish tied for 14th place. Sophomore Ryan Hitt (Allen, Texas), who was competing as an individual, shot a 36-hole total of 148 (73, 75) to finish tied for 14th place.

The Wonder Boys will return to action on April 21-22 to compete at the 2008 Gulf South Conference Championship Meet at Hot Springs Country Club in Hot Springs, Ark.

 ARKANSAS TECH                   274   288 - 562

1.       Jarred Carlyle                  69      67 – 136

3.       B.J. Hawkins                   67      73 – 140

T4.     Jonathon Spikes              68      73 – 141

T12.   Taylor Wallner                 70      77 – 147

T14.   Scott Genoway               73      75 – 148

T14.   *Ryan Hitt                       73      75 – 148              

          2008 Natural State Golf Classic results  

          -- Tech Athletics --