A total of 21 teams hit the links Friday, May 18, for the annual Williams Baptist University Golf Tournament. The tourney, which benefits the Williams athletic department, was held at Sage Meadows Country Club in Jonesboro.
The tournament netted nearly $16,000 for WBU sports teams. Director of Athletics Jeff Rider said most of the proceeds from this year’s tourney will go toward the transition from college to university, which is happening this summer at Williams. WBU uniforms and new signage at Williams athletic facilities will be made possible by the proceeds, Rider noted.
First place in A flight went to the team of Scott Gifford, Miles Gifford, Josh Wilson and Trey Depriest. The team shot a 54, which was 18 under par.
Second place in A flight went to Mike Miller, Tommy Campbell, N. Ray Campbell and Raymond Jackson. The team finished with a score of 56.
In B flight, first place went to JD Rainwater, Tommy White, Mitch Hovis and Kyle Blankenship. Their team carded a 65.
Taking second in B flight with a score of 66 was the team of Tim McNatt, Josh McNatt, Jay Caldwell and Josh Hardaway.
Championship Level tournament sponsors were First National Bank of Lawrence County and Tekla Research.
Ace Level sponsors were Arkansas Baptist Foundation, Doty Family Funeral Home, First National Bank of Paragould, The Hotel Rhea, Smith-Mayfield Business & Tax Consultants, The Ticket 95.3 FM/970 AM and The Wolf 106.5 KTMO.
Eagle Level sponsors were Barton’s, BXS Insurance, Cavenaugh Ford-Lincoln-Mercury, Cox Implement, Crenshaw Signs, Master Group, The Solutions Groups and Sydney Ford Coldwell-Banker.
Birdie Level sponsors were American Silica, Brown’s Graduation Supplies, Buffalo Wild Wings, Clark General Contractors, Greenway Equipment, Lawrence County Seed, Lawrence Memorial Hospital, Laubach Companies, Lyons Engraving, Nicholson Farms, RiverBank, The Storehouse and Walmart of Walnut Ridge.
Williams is a Christian, liberal arts university in Walnut Ridge. The WBU Eagles field 19 varsity and three junior varsity teams, which compete in the American Midwest Conference of the NAIA.