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2007 Region II Men's Golf Champions
Student-athletes who are recruited to participate in the golf program can be awarded full or partial athletic and/or academic scholarships. Walk-ons are encouraged to contact the head coach and make arrangements to try out for the team.
(Contact the head golf coach at 479-788-7512 or email Mark Curlett at mcurlett@uafortsmith.edu.)
News
| Lady Lions Send Strong Contingent To NJCAA Tournament | Fri, May 9, 2008 |
| FORT SMITH, Ark. – It’s been a season of firsts for the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith Lady Lions golf team. For the first time in the program’s three-year history, UA Fort Smith fielded a complete, four-member team. And while the team didn’t qualify for the NJCAA national tournament, all four members qualified as individuals. The UA Fort Smith contingent will begin play in the four-day tournament on Monday at LPGA International Golf Club in Daytona Beach, Fla. It will be the third time in as many years for UA Fort Smith to have a player compete in the national tournament. “I’ve really been blessed. We have had some fine student-athletes come to UA Fort Smith,” UA Fort Smith golf coach Mark Curlett said. “You’ve got to have the kids first, and that’s what it’s all about. We have a good school, and they want to come to UA Fort Smith and play golf. That says a lot about our school.” Former Lady Lion Katie Schluterman of Fort Smith – UA Fort Smith’s first women’s golfer – qualified for the national tournament last year and in 2006. Current sophomore Kaitlin Peters of Peoria, Ariz., qualified for the tournament last year, finishing 67th. “This will be Kaitlin’s second year to go, and I expect her to play even better this time,” Curlett said. “She can do it.” Peters is the only current Lady Lion with national tournament experience. Lacy Martin of Harrison, Ark., and Jena Morrow and Johannah Hendrex of Fort Gibson, Okla., are all freshmen. “This is a great opportunity for our freshmen, whom I plan on being here with us for four years, to get some experience,” Curlett said. The four Lady Lions qualified for the national tournament by shooting one of the top five scores among non-championship team members in the recent NJCAA Region II tournament. Redlands Community College, the 2006 national champion and last year’s national runner-up, won the region tournament, which was held at Ben Geren Golf Course in Fort Smith. Curlett looks for the Lady Lions to build off that strong finish in the region tournament, especially Martin who led the Lady Lions with a 167 at the region tournament. “If she putts well, she could have a Top 20 finish,” Curlett said. | |
| Adamson Leads Lions To Third-Consecutive Region II Title | Tue, Apr 29, 2008 |
| FORT SMITH, Ark. – Another day, another hero. Freshman Ethan Adamson shot a 1-over par 73 on Tuesday afternoon to help the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith Lions pull away from rival Seminole State and win the NJCAA Region II tournament at Ben Geren Golf Course. UA Fort Smith shot a 627 during the two-round, two-day affair, beating Seminole State by just five strokes. Northeastern Oklahoma A&M finished third after shooting a 643. “They hung in there and just stayed tough. That’s what we’re all about,” UA Fort Smith golf coach Mark Curlett said. “When you get the hammer put down on you, you’ve got to stand up sooner or later. I was proud of the guys.” It’s the third-consecutive region title for the Lions since the program was restarted in the fall of 2005. UA Fort Smith qualified for its third-consecutive national tournament, which begins May 20 at Palm Valley Golf Course in Phoenix, Ariz. “It’s good,” said Adamson, who’s from Fort Smith. “The domination by UA Fort Smith is awesome.” The former Southside Rebel shot a 6-over par 150 to earn medalist honors. Adamson, who won his second collegiate tournament, would have qualified for the national tournament regardless of the Lions’ finish because he was the medalist. Lions freshman Will Fogleman of Marion, Ark., and sophomore Matt Dodson of Van Buren, Ark., each shot a 159, sophomore Trevor Earls of Sallisaw, Okla., shot a 167 and freshman Brett Hubbard of Alma, Ark., shot a 168. “It’s definitely fun to win a tournament,” Adamson said. “But, it’s more of a team thing. I’m just glad we’re going to nationals as a team.” UA Fort Smith relied on the late surge of Hubbard during Monday’s first round to take a one-stroke lead over Seminole State into the final round. Hubbard fell off the pace a bit – he carded a 90 during the second round – but Adamson followed up with the best round of the tournament. “It’s (Adamson’s) home course, and he knows how to play it,” Curlett said. “He came down the stretch, played the last few holes 1-under par and just brought it home for us.” Curlett, who is in his third season as Lions coach, was a bit anxious as the second round remained almost a stroke-for-stroke battle between the Lions and the Trojans. When Adamson hit the green on No. 18, Curlett said he was pretty confident the Lions would win another title. Adamson birdied the final hole to clear up any doubts. “He had a beautiful drive, a beautiful second shot within about 10 feet (of the hole) and a birdie,” Curlett recalled. It may have been Adamson’s best putt of the round, especially since he struggled with his putter at times during the round. “I was hitting it well, but I wasn’t putting very good,” Adamson said. “I had like three three-putts. I was hitting the ball on the green but not close enough to make an easy par.” Brad Bottoms followed his first-round 77 with a 76 to finish runner-up for medalist honors and lead the Trojans to the runner-up finish. “It’s fun when it’s a little bit of a nail-biter. It’s fun when it’s close like that,” Curlett said. “That’s the way it should be, and that’s the way you want it. You don’t want to just mow people down. You want to play good people, and Seminole’s good.” Before the Lions depart for their national tournament, Curlett will be headed to Daytona Beach, Fla. A little vacation? No, strictly business. The Lady Lions finished runner-up to the defending region champion Redlands Lady Cougars, but all four Lady Lions qualified for the national tournament, which begins on May 12 at LPGA International Golf Course in Daytona Beach. Freshman Lacy Martin of Harrison, Ark., led the Lady Lions with a 167 and finished sixth overall. Sophomore Kaitlin Peters of Peoria, Ariz., shot a 185, freshman Johannah Hendrex of Fort Gibson, Okla., carded a 190 and freshman Jena Morrow of Fort Gibson, shot a 193. “Everybody improved on their score from the first round, and they are going to be fine,” Curlett said. “I’m excited about the ladies going to nationals. It’s Kaitlin’s second year, and it’s going to be an unbelievable experience for the three freshmen.” Redlands, which was the 2006 national champion and 2007 national runner-up, shot a 636 to win the tournament by 99 strokes. The Lady Cougars shot the exact score (315) in the second round as the UA Fort Smith men did in the first round and had all five players finish in the top five spots. Lady Cougars freshman Morgan Gay shot a 155 to earn medalist honors. Gay had rounds of 77 and 78 and was one of three Lady Cougars to shoot a 78 during the second round. NJCAA REGION II GOLF TOURNAMENT At Ben Geren Golf Course, Fort Smith, Arkansas Tuesday Final Results Team Standings Men Player Round 1 Round 2 Total 1. UA Fort Smith 315 312 627 2. Seminole State 316 316 632 3. Northeastern Oklahoma A&M 326 317 643 Women Player Round 1 Round 2 Total 1. Redlands 321 315 636 2. UA Fort Smith 370 365 735 Individual Standings Men Player Round 1 Round 2 Total 1. Ethan Adamson, UA Fort Smith 77 73 150 2. Brad Bottoms, Seminole State 77 76 153 3. Matt Penick, Western Oklahoma State 77 80 157 3. Calvin Becker, Northeastern Oklahoma A&M 83 74 157 5. Will Fogleman, UA Fort Smith 78 81 159 5. Brant Gear, Seminole State 79 80 159 5. Matt Dodson, UA Fort Smith 82 77 159 5. Nick Iness, Western Oklahoma State 83 76 159 9. Bryan Bottoms, Seminole State 80 80 160 9. Stuie Palmer, UACC-Morrilton 81 79 160 11. Jason Martin, Seminole State 80 81 161 12. Chad Langley, Northeastern Oklahoma A&M 77 85 162 13. Dalton Hamilton,Northeastern Oklahoma A&M 85 79 164 14. Derrick Ashe, Northeastern Oklahoma A&M 83 82 165 14. Tanner Langley, Northeastern Oklahoma A&M 83 82 165 16. Derek Nagel, Seminole State 86 80 166 17. Trevor Earls, UA Fort Smith 86 81 167 18. Brett Hubbard, UA Fort Smith 78 90 168 19. Keton Smiley, Western Oklahoma State 84 88 172 19. Jared Mason, UACC-Morrilton 89 83 172 21. Erik Hawkins, UACC-Morrilton 98 97 195 Women Player Round 1 Round 2 Total 1. Morgan Gay, Redlands 77 78 155 2. Abby Allford, Redlands 80 81 161 3. Nicola Race, Redlands 84 78 162 4. Andrea Kaelin, Redlands 85 78 163 5. Emily Kwak, Redlands 80 84 164 6. Lacy Martin, UA Fort Smith 84 83 167 7. Kaitlin Peters, UA Fort Smith 92 93 185 8. Johannah Hendrex, UA Fort Smith 94 96 190 8. Cara Horn, Western Oklahoma State 94 96 190 10. Jena Morrow, UA Fort Smith 100 93 193 11. Chelsey Vaught, Western Oklahoma State 109 117 226 | |
| Lions Enjoy Slim First-Round Lead At NJCAA Region II Tournament | Mon, Apr 28, 2008 |
| FORT SMITH, Ark. – University of Arkansas - Fort Smith golf coach Mark Curlett was a bit frustrated with how his Lions were playing after the halfway mark of Monday’s first round of the NJCAA Region II tournament. When the final first-round scores were posted, he was in a little better mood. UA Fort Smith shook off the ill-effects of a rough front nine and finished the first round with a 315. The Lions will carry a one-stroke lead over region rival Seminole State into Tuesday’s final round at Ben Geren Golf Course. Play begins at 8 a.m. with the awards presentation slated for approximately 1:30 p.m. Seminole State shot a 316 to stay well in contention for the region title, and Northeastern Oklahoma A&M is still in the title hunt, too, after shooting a 326. Western Oklahoma State and University of Arkansas Community College-Morrilton did not field a complete team and are competing as individuals. “We were tight between the shoulder blades,” said Curlett of the Lions’ play on the first nine holes. “We were obviously tight, and if I knew why, we wouldn’t have been tight. Nobody broke 40 on the front side.” While Curlett didn’t know the exact cause of the Lions’ sluggish play, he did have a remedy. “We’re going to come back and practice after lunch,” Curlett said. “We’re going to try and get some of our energy back.” Freshman Ethan Adamson of Fort Smith paced the Lions with a 5-over par 77 and is one of four tied for medalist honors going into the final round. Freshman Will Fogleman of Marion, Ark., and freshman Brett Hubbard of Alma, Ark., each carded a 78, sophomore Matt Dodson of Van Buren, Ark., shot an 82 and sophomore Trevor Earls of Sallisaw, Okla., carded an 86. Hubbard sparked the Lions’ quick turnaround with a spectacular back-nine performance. The former Airedale standout shot a 43 on the front nine and carded a 35 on the back nine to put UA Fort Smith back in contention. “That was huge for us,” Curlett said. “That helped us get back in it.” Seminole State’s Brad Bottoms also is tied for medalist honors with a 77, and he and teammate Brant Gear, who shot a 79, are the only Trojans to break 80 during the opening round. Northeastern Oklahoma A&M’s Chad Langley shot a 77 to lead the Norsemen, while Western Oklahoma State’s Matt Penick kept his bid for a trip to the national tournament as an individual alive by carding a 77, too. Only the men’s region championship team will qualify for the national tournament, which begins May 20 at Palm Valley Golf Course in Phoenix, Ariz. If the medalist is not on the championship team, he also will qualify for the national tournament. The Redlands Community College Lady Cougars have established themselves as a national power, having won the 2006 national championship and finished national runner-up a year ago. They looked every bit the part after the first round. Lady Cougars occupied the top four spots and five were in the Top 10 going into the final round. Morgan Gay shot a 5-over par 77 to take the early lead for medalist honors while helping the Lady Cougars shoot a 321. UA Fort Smith, which is the only other school fielding a women’s team in the tournament, is 49 strokes off the pace after carding a 370. UA Fort Smith freshman Lacy Martin of Harrison, Ark., is tied for fourth after shooting an 84. Lady Lions sophomore Kaitlin Peters of Peoria, Ariz., shot a 92, freshman Johanna Hendrex of Fort Gibson, Okla., shot a 94 and freshman Jena Morrow of Fort Gibson, Okla., carded a 100. “Lacy Martin shot an 84, and that’s probably the worst she could have shot,” Curlett said. “She really played steady golf.” The women’s region championship team will qualify for the national tournament, which begins May 12 at LPGA International Golf Course in Daytona Beach, Fla. Also, the top 5 individuals not on the championship team will qualify for the national tournament. NJCAA REGION II GOLF TOURNAMENT At Ben Geren Golf Course, Fort Smith, Arkansas Monday First Round Men Team Standings Team Score 1. UA Fort Smith 315 2. Seminole State 316 3. Northeastern Oklahoma A&M 326 Women Team Standings Team Score 1. Redlands 321 2. UA Fort Smith 370 Individual Standings Men Player Score 1. Ethan Adamson, UA Fort Smith 77 1. Chad Langley, Northeastern Oklahoma A&M 77 1. Brad Bottoms, Seminole State 77 1. Matt Penick, Western Oklahoma State 77 5. Will Fogleman, UA Fort Smith 78 5. Brett Hubbard, UA Fort Smith 78 7. Brant Gear, Seminole State 79 8. Bryan Bottoms, Seminole State 80 8. Jason Martin, Seminole State 80 10. Stuie Palmer, UACC-Morrilton 81 11. Matt Dodson, UA Fort Smith 82 12. Calvin Becker, Northeastern Oklahoma A&M 83 12. Derrick Ashe, Northeastern Oklahoma A&M 83 12. Tanner Langley, Northeastern Oklahoma A&M 83 12. Nick Iness, Western Oklahoma State 83 16. Keton Smiley, Western Oklahoma State 84 17. Dalton Hamilton, Northeastern Oklahoma A&M 85 18. Trevor Earls, UA Fort Smith 86 18. Derek Nagel, Seminole State 86 20. Jared Mason, UACC-Morrilton 89 21. Erik Hawkins, UACC-Morrilton 98 Terry Skinner, UACC-Morrilton DNS Women Player Score 1. Morgan Gay, Redlands 77 2. Abby Allford, Redlands 80 2. Emily Kwak, Redlands 80 4. Nicola Race, Redlands 84 4. Lacy Martin, UA Fort Smith 84 6. Andrea Kaelin, Redlands 85 7. Kaitlin Peters, UA Fort Smith 92 8. Johanna Hendrex, UA Fort Smith 94 8. Cara Horn, Western Oklahoma State 94 10. Jena Morrow, UA Fort Smith 100 11. Chelsea Vaught, Western Oklahoma State 109 | |
| Lions, Lady Lions Eye Region II Golf Championship | Fri, Apr 25, 2008 |
| FORT SMITH, Ark. – The University of Arkansas - Fort Smith men’s golf team has enjoyed much success since the program was restarted in the fall of 2005, and the Lions hope to add another chapter to their legacy this week during the NJCAA Region II tournament. UA Fort Smith, the two-time defending region champion, has its sights set on a third-consecutive title, and the Lions will have the home-course advantage, too. UA Fort Smith will host the two-day tournament beginning at 8 a.m. on Monday at Ben Geren Golf Course. Final round action will begin at 8 a.m. on Tuesday. “We get to host it for the first time, and we’re really excited about getting to play at home at Ben Geren,” UA Fort Smith coach Mark Curlett said. UA Fort Smith normally plays its home tournaments at Hardscrabble Country Club, but because of a conflict – Hardscrabble is preparing to host the upcoming Fort Smith Classic – the tournament was moved to Ben Geren. “We’ve been practicing over there (Ben Geren) for the past two weeks,” Curlett said. Five teams will make up the men’s tournament field – UA Fort Smith, Northeastern Oklahoma A&M, Western Oklahoma State, University of Arkansas Community College-Morrilton and Seminole State. Only the region championship team will advance to the NJCAA Division II national tournament, which begins May 20 at Palm Valley Golf Course in Phoenix, Ariz. If the region tournament medalist is not a part of the championship team, he also will advance to the national tournament and compete as an individual. “We’ve won (the region) two years in a row,” said Curlett, whose Lions finished seventh in last year’s national tournament. “We really haven’t played in a lot of tournaments with our conference opponents this year. I know that NEO has a nice team, and Seminole does, too. UA-Morrilton has a couple of nice players, and so does Western.” Curlett likes the Lions’ chances of a three-peat. “I believe in all five of my guys,” the third-year coach said. “I like our depth.” For the first time in their three-year history, the Lady Lions will battle for the team title at the region tournament. Prior to this season, UA Fort Smith hasn’t fielded a four-player team and only competed as individuals. UA Fort Smith will be a part of a strong three-team field that will include defending region champ Redlands Community College and Western Oklahoma State. University of Arkansas Community College-Morrilton will have one individual player. Seminole State has a team but is ineligible to compete in the tournament. “Our ladies are shooting good scores,” Curlett said. “They’re really excited about the tournament.” Redlands is the favorite to win the region tournament. The Lady Cougars won the 2006 national title and were the national runner-up last spring. “They’re a national power,” Curlett said. The region championship team will advance to the national tournament, which begins May 12 at LPGA International Golf Course in Daytona Beach, Fla. Also, the top five individuals who are not members of the championship team will advance to the national tournament to compete as individuals. Former Lady Lion Katie Schluterman of Fort Smith and current Lady Lion sophomore Kaitlin Peters of Peoria, Ariz., qualified for the national tournament as individuals last year. Schluterman finished tied for 62nd and Peters finished 67th. | |
| Lions Finish Strong At Natural State Classic | Wed, Apr 16, 2008 |
| FORT SMITH, Ark. – Freshman Ethan Adamson shot a 1-under par 141 to help lead the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith Lions to a third-place finish Tuesday afternoon in the Natural State Golf Classic at Heber Springs’ Red Apple Inn. UA Fort Smith shot a 588 over the two-day classic and finished 26 strokes behind champion Arkansas Tech, which shot an impressive 6-under par 562. Henderson State was second with a 578, while classic host Harding University was fourth with a 595. Central Baptist College was fifth with a 600. Adamson, who is from Fort Smith, was one of two Lions to finish in the Top 10. Freshman Will Fogleman of Marion, Ark., shot a 3-over par 145 and finished tied for eighth. Sophomore Matt Dodson of Van Buren, Ark., and sophomore Trevor Earls of Sallisaw, Okla., each shot a 9-over par 151 and finished tied for 21st. Freshman Brett Hubbard of Alma, Ark., shot a 16-over par 158 and finished tied for 36th. Arkansas Tech’s Jarred Carlyle shot a 6-under 136 to earn medalist honors. He was one of three Wonder Boys in the Top 10. The Lady Lions shot a 726 on their way to a sixth-place finish in the classic. The University of Montevallo dominated the nine-team field, shooting a 645 to win by 33 strokes over runner-up Henderson State. Sophomore Kaitlin Peters of Peoria, Ariz., shot a 177 and finished 18th to lead the Lady Lions. Freshman Lacy Martin of Harrison, Ark., shot a 179 and finished 22nd. Freshman Johannah Hendrex of Fort Gibson, Okla., carded a 183 and finished 24th. Freshman Jena Morrow of Fort Gibson, shot a 187 and finished tied for 25th. Montevallo’s Morgan Bell shot a 16-over par 158 to earn medalist honors. She was one of five Lady Falcons to finish in the Top 10. It was the second tournament championship for the Lady Falcons this spring. It was the final regular-season matches for UA Fort Smith. UA Fort Smith will host the NJCAA Region II tournament on April 28-29 at Ben Geren Golf Course. | |
| Lions, Lady Lions Finish Strong at Tournament | Wed, Mar 26, 2008 |
| FORT SMITH, Ark. – The University of Arkansas-Fort Smith golf teams survived blustery first-round playing conditions and finished strong on Tuesday afternoon in the annual South Central Kansas Spring In at Quail Ridge Golf Course in Winfield, Kan. The Lions shot a 617 over the two-day event and finished second behind champion and host Southwestern College, which topped the 12-team field with a 607. UA Fort Smith was the highest finisher among the Bi-State Conference teams competing in the tournament. Seminole State College finished fifth after shooting a 629, Northeastern Oklahoma A&M was sixth after carding a 637 and Western Oklahoma State was 11th after shooting a 705. UA Fort Smith’s Matt Dodson of Van Buren, Ark., shot a 150 (80-70) to lead the Lions and was within one stroke of tying for medalist honors. Will Fogleman of Marion, Ark., shot a 152 (78-74), Ethan Adamson of Fort Smith, Ark., carded a 154 (80-74), Trevor Earls of Sallisaw, Okla., shot a 161 (80-81) and Jay Winborn of Alma, Ark., carded a 187 (98-89). The Lady Lions shot a 752 to finish third – 15 strokes behind champion Park University. Park shot a 737 to top the six-team field. UA Fort Smith was the highest-finishing Bi-State Conference team in the tournament. Seminole State College carded a 776 to finish fifth. UA Fort Smith’s Kaitlin Peters of Peoria, Ariz., shot two consistent rounds to lead the Lady Lions with a 181 (91-90), while Lacy Martin of Harrison, Ark., shot a 189 (101-81), Jenna Morrow of Fort Gibson, Okla., shot a 191 (89-102) and Johannah Hendrex of Fort Gibson, Okla., shot a 191 (97-94). SOUTH CENTRAL KANSAS SPRING IN At Quail Ridge Golf Course, Winfield, Kan. Monday-Tuesday MEN TEAM SCORE 1. Southwestern College 607 2. UA Fort Smith 617 3. Bethany College 620 4. Missouri Valley 627 5. Seminole State 629 6. Northeastern Oklahoma A&M 637 7. Friends University 639 8. Bethel College 659 9. Sterling College 664 10. Ottawa College 668 11. Western Oklahoma 705 12. Kansas Wesleyan University 737 UA FORT SMITH INDIVIDUALS PLAYER SCORE Matt Dodson 80-70-150 Will Fogleman 78-74-152 Ethan Adamson 80-74-154 Trevor Earls 80-81-161 Jay Winborn 98-89-187 WOMEN TEAM SCORE 1. Park University 737 2. Southwestern College 741 3. UA Fort Smith 752 4. Oklahoma Baptist University 764 5. Seminole State College 776 6. Ottawa College 799 UA FORT SMITH INDIVIDUALS PLAYER SCORE Kaitlin Peters 91-90-181 Lacy Martin 101-88-189 Jenna Morrow 89-102-191 Johannah Hendrex 97-94-191 | |
| UAFS Golf Team To Host Classic | Mon, Mar 3, 2008 |
| When the weather has been favorable, the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith golfers have been practicing and scrimmaging against their teammates in preparation for their spring season. | |
| UAFS Men Win Golf Classic; Women Place Third | Mon, Mar 3, 2008 |
| It would have been difficult for UAFS golfer Will Fogleman to better his opening round score of 68 in the second annual Lions Classic. | |
| UAFS Lions Enjoy First-Round Lead | Mon, Mar 3, 2008 |
| University of Arkansas-Fort Smith freshman Will Fogleman shot a 2-under par 68 on Monday to help the Lions take the first-round lead in the second annual Lions Classic at Hardscrabble Country Club. | |
| Lions Land Pointer Golfer | Wed, Jan 23, 2008 |
| Mark Curlett has built the UAFS golf team from the ground up, and the foundation consists mainly of players from the area. | |
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