The Little Rock Men's Golf team started the day with a five-stroke lead – resuming a second round that was postponed Monday due to darkness – and the Trojans kept their foot on the pedal Tuesday during the final round to extend that lead to 14 strokes and take the team title at the Everett Buick GMC Classic at Chenal Country Club.
"It was a great day for our team and it's always a great feeling to win at home. We again had a complete team effort this week and put ourselves in a position to win for the third time this fall. The guys just keep getting more comfortable in that setting and embracing the challenge and it was great to get the win this week." – Little Rock head coach Austin Eoff
The win is Little Rock's first of the 2024 season and the Trojans have posted four Top 10 finishes and three Top 5's in four events this fall. Little Rock will have a week off before wrapping up the fall portion of the season Oct. 28-29 at The Clerico in Tulsa, Okla. Little Rock won the team title at the event in 2023.
Little Rock finished the second round Tuesday with a score of 273, tied for the fourth-lowest team round in program history. They followed that with a 278 in the final round for a 36-hole total of 551, the second-lowest 36-hole total the program has ever recorded. Little Rock's event total of 838 (-26) is the sixth-lowest in program history and the second-lowest score vs par. Runner-up South Carolina finished with an 852 (-12) while Troy rounded out the Top 3 with an 859 (-5).
Lukas Roessler finished third overall on the individual leaderboard, started his third round with an ace and carding a of 65 (-7), tied for the second-lowest individual round ever by the men's program. Combined with his second round 67 (-5), he posted a 36-hole total of 132, the third-lowest in team history and tied for first vs par. Roessler finished with a 206 (-10), which also enters him into the program record book at ninth for a 54-hole total.
"Lukas had an incredible final round today that was critical for us to close the door. We will enjoy tonight and then on to Oral Roberts to close out the fall season with momentum." – Little Rock head coach Austin Eoff
Archie Smith (68-68-72) tied for sixth with a score of 208 (-8), tying his previous best 54-hole score set last season. His 36-hole total of 136 also matches his previous career best, and is tied for ninth in program history.
Matteo Cristoni (75-68-71) finished 14
th at 214 (-2),
Rhett South (71-74-70) finished 16
th at 215 (-1) and
Freddie Turnell (74-70-73) finished 25
th at 217 (+1), putting all five Little Rock team golfers in the Top 25.
Competing as individuals,
Phisher Phillips finished 49
th at 224 (+8),
Simon Roessler finished 60
th at 227 (+11), and Luke Hagan was 74
th at 230 (+14).
