KENNETT, Mo. – As the 2023 Fall Golf Season got underway Monday for the Missouri Baptist Men's team, a rough day put them in fourth place out of five teams entered in the Williams Baptist University Fall Classic in Kennett, Mo. But MBU turned in the lowest score of any team on the course at Kennett Country Club on Tuesday and finished in second place overall.
 
As a team the Spartans shot a 600 over the two-day tournament, which included a sizzling 293 on the second day. Central Baptist College won the tournament with a team score of 584. Following the Mustangs and Spartans in the standings was the host, Williams Baptist University, followed by Lyon College and Crowley's Ridge College. Lyon also entered a B-Team who finished in last place.
 
Individually the Spartans were paced by Luke Gardner who is getting an opportunity to shine in MBU's "Top-5" and is playing some of his best golf. The sophomore from Springfield, Mo. fired a first round 75, then followed that up with a 72 on Tuesday. His combined 147 tied him for third place among 36 competitors.
 
Newcomer Sam Beggs finished 10^th overall with a 149 (74/75). Not far behind was Pablo Gonzalez Vazquez with a 151, good for a tie for 12^th. Tomas Frencia was 15^th with a 153. Frencia and Gardner tied for the third lowest score in the second round, with each firing a 72. The final representative of MBU was freshman Logan Malott with scores of 84 and 77 (161), placing him  in 24^th place.
 
Three more Spartans took part in the tournament, playing as individuals. Freshman Brody Vondera finished in 18^th place, sophomore Ethan Hanaman finished 22^nd , and sophomore Collin Weinhaus ended in 28^th place.
 
MBU Men's Golf will travel to Silvis, Ill. for the NAIA Midwest Preview at TPC Deere Run next Monday hosted by St. Ambrose University.