Men’s Golf Caps Season with Seventh-Place Finish at GAC Championships
BROKEN ARROW, Okla. – The East Central University men's golf team returned to the Great American Conference Championships for the first time since 2016, turning in a steady three-day performance to finish seventh overall at Forest Ridge Golf Course.
The Tigers opened the tournament in 10th after round one before climbing to seventh on day two and holding that position through the final round, finishing with a team score of +52. Arkansas Tech University claimed the team title, followed by Harding University in second and Southern Arkansas University in third.
Leading the Tigers,
Gage Tennyson delivered a steady three-round performance to finish at +11 for the tournament, placing 20th overall. He opened with a 77 (+5) in round one, then responded with his strongest showing on day two, firing a 73 (+1) that featured multiple birdies and consistent play across both nines. Tennyson closed with a 77 (+5) in the final round, mixing in key pars and a late birdie to remain consistent and cap off his top finish for ECU.
Conner Compton followed with an impressive showing in just his second tournament of the season, finishing at +12 across three rounds and placing 27th overall. He opened with a 77 (+5) and added a 78 (+6) in round two, highlighted by an eagle on the 496-yard par-5 18th. Compton closed strong with a 73 (+1) in the final round, turning in a 35 (-1) on the front nine and one of ECU's lowest rounds of the tournament to help him climb the leaderboard.
Pablo Illescas followed, finishing at +15 for the tournament, tying for 31st overall with a steady three-round showing. He opened with a 78 (+6) and added a 79 (+7) in round two, navigating the course with consistent play across both nines. Illescas closed strong with a 74 (+2) in the final round, recording an even-par 36 on the front nine and using a stretch of pars to finish out his best round of the week.
Gabriel Jones matched Illescas at +15 for the tournament, tying for 31st overall and highlighted by one of the Tigers' top rounds of the week. After opening with an 81 (+9), Jones responded in a big way in round two, firing a 71 (-1) with a clean, consistent scorecard that featured no bogeys for an under-par finish. He closed with a 79 (+7) in the final round, using a steady front nine to finish out a solid three-day performance.
Jackson Jones followed at +18 for the tournament, placing 41st overall after turning in a consistent opening round before battling through the final two days. He led off with a 75 (+3), highlighted by a steady front nine and controlled play throughout. Jones added a 78 (+6) in round two, then closed with an 81 (+9) in the final round, finishing out the tournament with a resilient effort across all three rounds.
Landon Alexander rounded out the Tigers' lineup, finishing at +20 and placing 43rd overall over three rounds. He opened with a 78 (+6), navigating a challenging front nine before settling in on the back. Alexander added an 81 (+9) in round two, then closed with a 77 (+5) in the final round, using a steady back nine and consistent play down the stretch to cap his tournament.
