4 Chargers Golfers Earn Spots on All-Arrowhead Conference Team
Aaron Frey
Thursday, May 3, 2018 10:10 AM
Athletics
Galesburg, IL
The Carl Sandburg College men’s golf team had four members — Brayden Reece (Monmouth, Ill./Monmouth-Roseville), Ryan Hansen (Neponset, Ill./Kewanee), Bryce Grafton (Orion, Ill./Orion) and Brady Grafton (Orion, Ill./Orion) — earn spots on the All-Arrowhead Conference team, and the Chargers finished second in the final team standings as they wrapped up the conference season with meets Tuesday and Wednesday.
Sandburg took second in Tuesday’s meet it hosted at Lake Bracken and finished second to Black Hawk by one stroke in Wednesday’s meet hosted by the Braves at Byron Hills, which was called after nine holes because of inclement weather.
The Chargers earned the final four spots on the all-conference team, which goes to the top 12 golfers during the league season. Each player’s three lowest scores from the first four meets plus their nine-hole total from Wednesday counted toward their total.
Reece finished at 270 during the conference season, and Hansen earned All-Arrowhead honors for the second straight year with a total of 272. Bryce Grafton and Brady Grafton finished at 277 and 282, respectively.
Sandburg’s 312 total on Tuesday was its lowest 18-hole round of the conference schedule. Reece and Hansen each shot a 5-over-par 76 to pace the Chargers. Bryce Grafton shot 79, Michael Curry (Petersburg, Ill./PORTA) 81 and Anthony Neve (Macomb, Ill./Macomb) 84 for Sandburg. Competing as individuals, Brady Grafton shot a season-best 76, and Andrew Welgat (Kewanee, Ill./Kewanee) posted an 85.
Black Hawk shot 296 to win Tuesday’s competition. The Braves’ Austin Braud was medalist with a 2-over 73.
Sandburg shot 147 — to Black Hawk’s 146 — in Wednesday’s rain-shortened round. Reece and Bryce Grafton each shot even-par 35 to pace the Chargers and finish one shot back of medalist Austin Jump of Black Hawk. Hansen came in with a 38, Neve a 39 and Curry a 42. Brady Grafton and Welgat, playing as individuals, shot 38 and 44, respectively.
The Chargers wrapped up the conference season with 19 points to finish in second place. Black Hawk won every event to finish with 25 points. Illinois Valley was third with 16 points.
Sandburg will wrap up its season at the NJCAA Division II Men’s Golf Championship from May 21-24 at Glenlakes Golf Club in Foley, Ala. The Chargers qualified for nationals last October after finishing second in the Region IV tournament. This marks the team’s sixth appearance at the national tourney. The Chargers have advanced a team or individual to nationals in each of the last six seasons and in 10 of the last 11 years.
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