Arkansas Tech teams lead GAC

Arkansas Tech’s Austin Smith carded the best first-round score in Great American Conference Men’s Golf Championship history, a 6-under par 66, to lead the Wonder Boys to a five-stroke lead after the opening 18 holes on the Arlington Course of the Hot Springs Country Club.

Arkansas Tech opened the GAC women’s championship Sunday with a four-stroke lead over Henderson State at the Park Course at Hot Springs Country Club.

Smith registered six birdies and an eagle, against two bogeys, to finish four shots clear of the field. The field played to a 76.28 stroke average. Oklahoma Baptist’s Kyle Perdew finished the day in second place after carding a 2-under 70 in a round that featured five birdies. Southeastern Oklahoma State’s Hayden Foster and Southwestern Oklahoma State’s Kason Cook each posted 1-under 71s.

The Wonder Boys, ranked second in the latest NCAA Central Region Rankings, posted the lowest first-round team score in GAC Championship history as they combined to shoot even par. After Smith, Luke Cornett posted a 72, Putter Srinoon added a 73 and Ryan Spurlock came through with a 77.

Harding, ninth in the Central Region, capped day one tied with Henderson State for second place. Harding’s Alex Williamson registered a 72 and Mason Banger followed with a 73. Juan Luis Sanchez Perez also posted a 73 and Cooper Dunn added 75.

The Reddies, the three-time GAC Champions, placed their four scoring golfers inside the top 15, headed up by Tait Darby, who tied for fourth with a 72. Price Murphree added a 73 while Drew Greenwood and Nick Shapiro each turned in 2-over 74s.

For the Arkansas Tech women, Caroline Fredensborg is in second place after a 1-over 73, which leaves her two strokes behind Henderson State’s Sarah Wright.

Tech teammates Pia Nunbhakdi and Avery Struck are tied for fourth at 75, a stroke behind Southwestern Oklahoma State’s Elin Wahlin.

Henderson State’s Hanna Brauburger is tied for sixth (77), while teammate Taylor Loeb is tied for eighth (78).

The second of three rounds of the tournament is today.