The Malone College men’s golf team, led by veteran head coach Ken Hyland, recently capped off yet another outstanding season by posting another top-ten team finish at the NAIA National Championships in late May. The Pioneers recorded a tenth-place finish among a 28-team field at the NAIA national event at the Indiana National Golf Club in Plymouth, Indiana May 22-25 while senior Scotty Jones (East Palestine H.S.) concluded his career with an NAIA All-America Honorable Mention honor after earning First Team All-America accolades last season.

At the NAIA national tourney, Malone ended day one of the tournament tied for 11th place after shooting a 299 but then struggled with a 309 on day two to fall into a tie for 18th place. With the day three cut looming (when the 28-team field is reduced to 17 teams), the Pioneers rallied to post a round of 299, avoiding the cut in 14th place. The squad's strong play then continued on the final day of competition as Malone carded a 300 to finish the tournament in tenth place with a total four-day score of 1207 (+55). The Pioneers had the fifth-best team score for each of the final two rounds (299 & 300) to climb eight spots on the leader board over the final two days of the tournament.

 

Oklahoma City University won the team title at 1154 (+2). Wayland Baptist (TX) University was second at 1172, Oklahoma Christian University took third at 1184, Johnson & Wales (FL) University placed fourth at 1195 and Berry (GA) College rounded out the top five at 1196.

 

Jones paced Malone with a four-day score of 298 (73-79-74-72) as he rose from a 42nd place tie after day three to finish in a tie for 21st place with the final round score of 72. Freshman Ben Smith (Carrollton H.S.) finished in a tie for 47th at 304 (75-75-81-73) while senior Jordan Grubb (Lake H.S.) followed in a tie for 54th at 306 (75-79-75-77).  Senior Grant Gates (River Valley H.S.) finished in a tie for 64th at 309 (76-78-76-79) while junior Darren Phipps (Lake H.S.) was also among those tied for 64th at 309 (80-77-74-78). 

 

Academically, Malone had two athletes who earned the 2007 Daktronics NAIA Scholar Athlete award as Jones and Matt Strayer (Jr., Riverside H.S.) collected the recognition.

 

The Pioneers qualified for the NAIA national tournament again this year by winning their fourth straight AMC/NAIA Region IX title among a 12-team field as Smith captured individual medalist honors at the event with a 214 total (74-69-71). Hyland was named the AMC and Region Coach of the Year for the fourth straight year.

Malone also posted victories in three other tournaments this spring including the Walsh University Invitational, the Malone Invitational and the Notre Dame (OH) College Invitational.