HEBER SPRINGS, Ark. - Harding men's golf could not hold it first round lead and fell to fourth place at the Natural State Golf Classic, played Monday and Tuesday at the Red Apple Inn and Country Club.

Harding shot 290 in round one and led by a stroke over Union University of Tennessee. It was Harding's best round one score of the season. But in round two, the Bisons shot 302 and Union shot 286. Harding finished at 592, behind Union (577), Arkansas Tech (584), and Blue Mountain College (588).

The Bisons led the tournament in par-3 scoring at 6-over and placed second in par-5 scoring at 7-under. Harding had an event-best 30 birdies.

Harding had three golfers in the top 10, led by freshman Brandon Clark, who finished eighth at 145. Clark shot even par 71 in round one and 3-over 74 in round two. He was one of six golfers to play the par 3s at 1-under for the tournament.

Sophomore Lucas Collins placed ninth. He shot even par 71 in round one and 4-over 75 in round two to finish at 146. Collins also shot 1-under on the par 3s and led the Bisons with 22 pars.

Freshman Nathan Kannenberg tied for 10th at 147. He was tied with Ben Waits of Union as the top golfers on the par 5s, playing them at 5-under.

Brett Barry of Union was the individual medalist. He shot 2-under 140 and finished three strokes ahead of four golfers tied for second at 143.

The Bisons had four golfers play as a Harding "B" team. Senior Tyler Parsons, playing his first tournament of the season, was among them and finished 12th at 148.

Other Harding finishers included senior Dustin Richter (t18th, 150), sophomore Jordan Perry (t31st, 155), junior Ryan Hadash (t31st, 155), junior Lewis Jackson (t45th, 159), and sophomore Laurence Frampton (67th, 179).

Harding will conclude its season at the Great American Conference Tournament, which begins Sunday and runs through Tuesday at the Hot Springs (Ark.) Country Club.

By Scott Goode