Heartland Conference

HORSESHOE BAY, Texas -- Rogers State made a furious comeback on the final day of the 2018 Heartland Conference Men’s Golf Championship to take home the team championship after shooting a nine-under-par 279. Oklahoma Christian's Garrett White took home individual honors after shooting the lowest round of the tournament (66) and finishing 11-under-par.
 
Rogers State’s Luke Palmowski did the most damage on Tuesday recording five birdies and an eagle in the round carding a 67, the second-lowest round of the day that gave the Hillcats the one-stroke win over UAFS who finished in second. Alex Marsh shot a three-under-par 69 in the round and was also a major contributor to the Hillcats’ second-lowest round of the tournament. RSU finished 19-under-par with a total score of 845.
 
After leading heading into the round, UAFS was unable to hold off the charge from Rogers State despite shooting a 285 in round three. The Lions finished with three players inside the top ten with Chris Eckes’ seven-under-par performance leading the way. Both Eckes and Parker Jennings were named to the 2018 All-Tournament Team.
 
St. Mary’s had the most impressive day as a squad as the Rattlers jumped two spots on the final day after shooting a tournament-low 274 14-under-par, the seventh-lowest team round in conference history. StMU’s Benjamin Arnett birdied four-times on his back nine and shot five-under-par for the day to lead the Rattlers. Sophomore Emilio Gonzalez was close behind with a four-under-par 68.
 
Oklahoma Christian finished in fourth at 12-under-par followed by St. Edward’s (+2) to round out the top five.
 
OC’s White saved his best for last shooting blistering 66 in round three. The junior improved his score each round shooting 70-69-66 for a total score of 205. White finished three strokes ahead of RSU’s Palmowski on the leaderboard.
 
With the win, Rogers State earns the conference’s automatic qualifier for the NCAA South Central Regional.
 
2018 All-Tournament Team
Garrett White - Oklahoma Christian
Luke Palmowski - Rogers State
Emilio Gonzalez - St. Mary’s
Chris Eckes - UAFS
Hudson Ross - St. Edward’s
Pontus Dahlstrom - Newman
Alex Marsh - Rogers State
Parker Jennings - UAFS