Red Wolves Men’s Golf Wraps up Play at Mobile Bay Intercollegiate

Courtesy Arkansas State University Athletics Department

MOBILE, Ala. (2/19/13) – Facing a field featuring four of the top-25 ranked teams in the nation, the Arkansas State men’s golf team concluded play Tuesday at the Mobile Bay Intercollegiate in 16th place with a three-round score of 926 recorded on the Magnolia Grove Crossings Golf Course.

The Red Wolves shot a first-round 308 Monday before the second round was suspended due to darkness. A-State entered today’s competition tied for 13th place and completed the second round this morning with a 311. Despite posting a final-round 307 that was its best score of the tournament, the Red Wolves dropped from 15th place after the second 18 holes to 16th in the final standings.

A-State finished just three strokes behind 15th-place Illinois State, while Auburn claimed the tournament title with a 3-under 861. No. 14 LSU finished second with an 865 and No. 19 Illinois took third with an 870.

“This is by far the toughest field we’ve played all year, so it was good to compete against some of the top teams and players in the country,” said ASU head coach Steve Johnson. “We’re definitely showing some rust after the winter, but we will continue to work hard and now we have to get ready to go for our next tournament.”

The Red Wolves were led by Seth Garner, who was competing in just his third career tournament at A-State. Garner recorded a career-best 225 to end the tournament tied for 39th place, his top finish of the season. Garner was consistent throughout, posting a 75 all three rounds.

“I was excited to see Seth play well,” Johnson said. “It was his third tournament overall and to finish that high up against this type of field shows the level of hard work he has put in during the offseason.”

Following Garner for ASU, Sean Brock and Wessel Zwiegers both shot a 234 to finish tied for 64th place. Brock posted a first-round 73, the lowest single-round score of the tournament by an ASU player, before following with an 81 and 80 for the second and third rounds, respectively. Wessel Zwiegers improved his score each round, posting an 80-79-75.

Also competing for A-State, Christian Helmbold improved his score each round as well with an 80-79-77 for a combined 236 that placed him tied for 68th. Matt Howton finished in 78th place with a combined 243 (82-78-83).

Chance Holden participated in the USA Individual Tournament and claimed an 11th-place finish out of 34 players. Holden carded a 78 and 73 in the two-round tournament to collect a combined 151.

The Red Wolves return to action March 11-12 at the Jack Rabbit Invitational, hosted by South Dakota State in Primm, Nev.

ARKANSAS STATE RESULTS

Place, Name (RD 1-RD 2-RD 3–TOTAL)

16, Arkansas State (308-311-307–308)

T39, Seth Garner (75-75-75–225)

T64, Sean Brock (73-81-80–234)

T64, Wessel Zwiegers (80-79-75–234)

T68, Christian Helmbold (80-79-77–236)

78, Matt Howton (82-78-83–243)

*11, Chance Holden (78-73–151)

*competing in the USA Individual Tournament

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