HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Hayden Meiser's 2-over-par card in the final round of the GAC women's golf championships steered Oklahoma Baptist to its highest finish at the tournament in program history on Tuesday afternoon at the Hot Springs Country Club.
The Bison posted a three-round total of 954 (+90), highlighted by a closing 313 (+25), to place fourth in the nine-team field. It is the highest finish at the tourney since OBU officially became eligible to compete for team championships in 2017-18.
Furthermore, today's round ties the program's best score at the league's end-of-the-year tournament.
Meiser became the first Bison in school history to notch a spot on the GAC's All-Tournament team, finishing in a tie for third after shooting 12-over-par for the event. Meiser's 288 (+12) is the lowest total any OBU participant has ever turned in at the Great American Conference tournament.
The Norman, Okla., native climbed three spots to crack the top 5 after finishing round two in a tie for sixth. Meiser's closing round featured three birdies and an eagle, one of two participants to sink a 2-under-par shot in the tournament. Additionally, Meiser charted the second-best stroke average on par 5s (4.75).
Morgan Becker carded her best round of the tournament to place in a tie for 10th. Becker's 4-over 76 featured four birdies, including three on the front nine. She finished 18-over-par for the event.
Josie Patterson cut her strokes by five from Monday to finish in a tie for 24th. Patterson sank the team's third-most birdies (5) en route to a 242 (+26) total.
Valentina Nunez-Butzonitch and Karlee Holcomb rounded out the bunch at 33rd and 38th. Nunez-Butzonitch had the better final round of the two, firing an 86 (+14), while Holcomb shot 16-over par.
No. 6 Henderson State took the team title after posting a final-round team score of 298 (+10). The Reddies' Lily Nelson, the GAC's Freshman of the Year, claimed individual medalist honors on the strength of an even-par 72 in the final round to put her at 210 (-6) for the championship.
Oklahoma Baptist now awaits word on a potential berth in the NCAA Central Super Regional, scheduled for May 7-9 in Larchwood, Iowa. OBU was ranked 11th in the latest regional rankings released on April 13.
