Season Preview: 2022-23 Men’s Golf

MILLIGAN, Tenn. (September 6, 2022) – The Milligan University men's golf team looks to build on a strong finish to the 2021-22 campaign and continue to climb the ranks of the nationally competitive Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) in 2022-23.

Visual Preview

The Buffs begin their season at the Sea Island Intercollegiate at the Sanctuary Golf Club in Georgia on Sept. 12.

2021-22 Season Review: A strong spring 2022 semester highlighted the 2021-22 season for the Milligan men's golf team. The Buffs posted top-three finishes in each of their final four tournaments of the season, including a runner-up showing at the NAIA Direct Qualifier/AAC Spring Championship.

The Buffs finished the year as the No. 34 team in the nation according to Golfstat's final men's NAIA team rankings. Milligan logged top-three team finishes in eight of 11 tournaments last season with tourney titles at the Nick England Memorial and Mountain Empire Intercollegiate.

At the NAIA Direct Qualifier, the Buffs finished ahead of No. 19 Tennessee Wesleyan and No. 10 Point for Milligan's top finish at the qualifier since 2013. Dane Rheinecker earned All-AAC First Team honors in his final season as a Buff after leading the roster with a 74.67 tournament average.

"Wow, this team came on so strong last spring climbing over 20 spots in the Golfstat rankings," said head coach Tony Wallingford. "I knew the potential was there. I was so happy for them and the run they made in the conference and in the national rankings."

Team Captains: Seniors Brandon Hammond, Jonathan Liggett, Reece Walker, Nick Brock and Samuel Prater

Key Returners: The Milligan men's golf team brings three of its top five players from last year back for 2022-23.

Jonathan Liggett is one of several Buffs returning for a fifth season. He is Milligan's top returner in terms of scoring average with an average score of 76.71 in 2021-22. Liggett posted six rounds of even-par golf or better last season, including a season best four-under 68 at the Mountain Empire Intercollegiate. He earned all-tournament honors at the Castle Classic and Mountain Empire Intercollegiate.

Senior Samuel Prater closed the season with three consecutive top 10 finishes on his way to All-AAC Second Team honors. He finished fourth of 62 golfers at Midway, took eighth of 57 golfers at Elizabethton and tied for sixth (of 58) at the NAIA Direct Qualifier/AAC Spring Championship.

Junior Ty Beasley earned medalist honors at the East Tennessee Collegiate at the Johnson City Country Club with a three-under 141. He posted four rounds of even-par or better, including a minus-three 69 at the East Tennessee Collegiate. Beasley's top finish in the spring semester was a 17th-place finish (of 88) at the Tusculum Invitational.

"These three guys played some outstanding golf last year and in turn boosted their confidence," said Wallingford. "They believe in themselves and each other this year."

Grad student Brandon Hammond appeared in five tournaments and twice competed in the Buffs' starting lineup last year. His best outing was a top-10 finish at the Mountain Empire Intercollegiate. Junior Reece Anderson appeared in five tournaments and turned in a 73 in the first round of the East Tennessee Collegiate.

Reece Walker, Nick Brock and Seth Bible each appeared in two tournaments each semester last year.

Newcomers: The Milligan men's golf team adds three newcomers to the roster in 2022-23.

"Sophomore transfer Gustaf Lundberg has shown outstanding potential, as well as junior college transfer, Jakob Modig," said Wallingford. "Both of these young men are from Sweden and are seasoned players. We will look for them to make positive contributions right away. Freshman Garrison Barton, is certainly showing improvement and makes us excited for him and his future."

Junior Jakob Modig (Andrew College) and sophomore Gustaf Lundberg (San Diego Christian College) both hail from Sweden.

Incoming freshman Garrison Barton helped Austin High School (IN) to back-to-back sectional titles in 2021 and 2022.

Looking at the Schedule: Milligan's fall schedule spans six events with plenty of nationally ranked opponents.

In September, the Buffs open their season at the Sea Island Intercollegiate (Sept. 12-13) before hosting the East Tennessee Collegiate (Sept. 26-27) at the Johnson City Country Club.

Milligan returns to the Links at Kahile Oct. 8-9 and then heads to Tennessee National for a match play event on Oct. 10-11 before the AAC Fall Preview Championship Oct. 17-18. The AAC Championships will be played at the Cross Creek Plantation Country Club in Seneca, S.C.

"As always, we play a great schedule, in great tournaments, on outstanding golf courses," said Wallingford. "Our schedule motivates our players to get better and improve, knowing they will face outstanding competition every time out."

Last Word: "It is my hope that we can pick it up right where we left off last year and continue our rise," said Wallingford. "These guys are hard workers and are very motivated to improve. They take nothing for granted. We have a nice blend of returning players and newcomers that I hope will translate into success."