Written by Abbigail Crocker// Photo provided by Jeff Montgomery
The Harding University Bisons men’s golf team kicked off their season strong at the Shadow Valley Invitational in Rogers, Arkansas, with the men’s team placing first. Jose Manuel Peralta, a junior from Madrid, Spain, led the men’s team and won the tournament by six strokes. Due to heavy rain, the tournament was reduced to 54 holes, which did not stop the Bisons. The 21st ranked Bisons men’s team had good performance from everyone on the team giving way to a promising rest of the season.
Senior Fin Cummings said he was excited for the future.
“As a team, I’d say we’re excited for post-season mostly this year,” Cummings said. “That includes conference, regionals and hopefully nationals. The last two years we have made it, and we have built off our experiences, so excited to do it all again.”
The team is strong, with three new additions who have contributed significantly, and five returning players from last year. The team is close in their ability and faith. The last tournament win was a huge confidence boost for the team.
Peralta said he was proud of his first collegiate win.
“We have been practicing hard, and we’re happy to get the trophy at the last event, but we understand that we’re only halfway through a busy semester with lots of golf to be played,”
Peralta said. “So we’ll keep our heads down and work hard. I’m so proud of all of these guys and the efforts they all put into getting better golfers and Christian men.”
The Bisons will compete March 24-25 in the Arkansas Collegiate hosted by Southern Arkansas at Mystic Creek Golf Course in El Dorado.
The Harding Bisons women’s team started their season by taking fourth place at the Diffee Ford Lincoln Invitational, led by sophomore Sydney Kincade who took fifth place individually. Ranked 37th, the Lady Bisons beat the field with 106 pars. Sophomore Cooper Myer finished 2nd out of the Lady Bisons team.
Meyer commented on the success of the team.
”The season is going really well,” Meyer said. “We have a pretty strong team and have broken our school team record numerous times this season. I am mostly looking forward to taking trips with the team, but also the chapel that we do together every week. It’s a nice time to grow closer as a team and grow in our faith. Our golf schedule is pretty packed once the season gets started. We just got back from Edmond, Oklahoma, and our next tournament is in El Dorado, Arkansas.”
The Lady Bisons are headed for the Arkansas Collegiate next and have high hopes for the rest of the season.
