Men’s Golf builds momentum heading into spring season

MILLIGAN, Tenn. (November 21, 2023) – The Milligan Buffs men's golf team had a successful fall season filled with team and individual highlights. Milligan finished the fall ranked No. 67 of 169 NAIA men's golf programs by Clippd.

The Buffs set the 54-hole team record with a (-7) 857 at the Phoenix Invitational in Mt. Juliet, TN in September. During that event, Milligan had rounds of (even) 288, (-3) 285, and (-4) 284. Also, Senior Ty Beasley set Milligan's 54-hole individual tournament record with a (-9) 207. Beasley shot rounds of (-3) 69, (-4) 68, and (-2) 70. Francisco de Bethencourt shot (-5) 67 at the Phoenix Invitational for the lowest individual round for the Buffs this fall.

Milligan had three top-five team finishes in their five outings with a best finish of 2nd of 10 teams at the East Tennessee Collegiate. The Buffs produced seven rounds under 300 this fall, highlighted by the (-4) 284 at The Phoenix Invitational. The Buffs defeated two nationally ranked teams this fall, No. 22 Rheinhardt and RV Cumberland University (TN).

Nine different players produced a total of 20 rounds of even or under par this fall led by Beasley's six. He ranks in the NAIA's top 100 players at No. 69 with a 72.9 scoring average across 14 tournament rounds. De Bethencourt had four rounds at even or under par and ranks in the NAIA's top 250 golfers with a 73.6 average. Junior Gustaf Lundberg had three rounds under par and is third on the roster with a 74.3 average.

Other individuals who had rounds of even or under par include Seth Bible, Alex Gouge, Parker Durkin , Garrison Barton, and Jakob Modig. Beasley led all individuals with five of the five tournaments with top 15 or better finishes. De Bethencourt was second with three top 20 finishes, and Lundberg had two top 15 individual finishes.

"We had some outstanding team and individual rounds this fall," said head coach Tony Wallingford. "I was very proud of our guys. They work hard, have great comradery, and love to compete. Consistency is the one component in our game that we will strive to improve for in the spring season."

The Buffs will open the spring tournament season on March 4 & 5, 2024 at the Skyhawk Spring Invitational at Newnan Country Club in Newnan, GA.