HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Led by a sixth-place finish by freshman Brandon Clark, the Harding golf team placed fifth of nine teams at the inaugural Great American Conference Championship, played Sunday through Tuesday at the Hot Springs Golf and Country Club.

Harding, who placed fifth for the second straight conference tournament, had rounds of 308, 304, 307 to finish at 919, just one stroke back of fourth-place East Central. Southwestern Oklahoma State won the tournament at 898, five strokes ahead of Arkansas Tech at 903.

Last season, Harding placed fifth at 909 at the Gulf South Conference Tournament, also in Hot Springs.

Clark, a native of St. Thomas, Ontario, earned All-Tournament honors for his sixth-place finish. The last Harding golfer to finish in the top six of a conference championship was Dusty Gourley, who tied for sixth at the 2008 Gulf South Conference Championship. Clark finished with a 10-over 226.

Harding junior Ryan Hadash and sophomore Ryan Hadash tied for 19th at 232. Freshman Nathan Kannenberg placed 28th at 237, and sophomore Lucas Collins was tied for 32nd at 240.

Matt Jennings of Henderson State was the individual medalist, shooting 219 and winning a one-hole playoff over Arkansas Tech's Rowdy Garrett.

by Scott Goode