Photo by: Michael Hickey
Carter Smith earns MAC Men's Golfer of the Week honors
October 17, 2024 | Men's Golf
MUNCIE, Ind. – Ball State men's golfer Carter Smith has been named the Mid-American Conference men's golfer of the week following his runner-up finish at last week's Everett Buick GMC Classic in Little Rock, Arkansas. Smith carded three under-par rounds while shooting 11-under par over 54 holes and finishing one stroke behind tournament champion Jake Springer of Troy.
Smith's 11-under for 54 holes and his 6-under 66 in the second round both were career bests for the junior from Silver Creek High School in Sellersburg, Indiana, who won the MAC's weekly award three times last season. The 66 was Ball State's lowest individual round of the season.
Following a 2-under par 70 in the opening round at Chenal Country Club, he was challenging the tournament leader with four straight birdies late in the second round when play was suspended due to darkness. He finished that 6-under second round the following morning, then proceeded to fire a 3-under 69 in the final round.
In the final round, Smith (70-66-69--205) continued his steady play and overtook 36-hole leader Archie Smith, briefly holding the lead before Springer (204) emerged as the champion with a 7-under final-round flurry. Smith trailed Springer by two strokes with one hole to play, and cut the margin with a two-stroke birdie on the par-3 17th hole.
"I can't say enough about Carter," said veteran coach Mike Fleck. "To birdie his last hole and post -11 over the three rounds is exactly what he needed, great event for him."
Smith's 11-under for 54 holes and his 6-under 66 in the second round both were career bests for the junior from Silver Creek High School in Sellersburg, Indiana, who won the MAC's weekly award three times last season. The 66 was Ball State's lowest individual round of the season.
Following a 2-under par 70 in the opening round at Chenal Country Club, he was challenging the tournament leader with four straight birdies late in the second round when play was suspended due to darkness. He finished that 6-under second round the following morning, then proceeded to fire a 3-under 69 in the final round.
In the final round, Smith (70-66-69--205) continued his steady play and overtook 36-hole leader Archie Smith, briefly holding the lead before Springer (204) emerged as the champion with a 7-under final-round flurry. Smith trailed Springer by two strokes with one hole to play, and cut the margin with a two-stroke birdie on the par-3 17th hole.
"I can't say enough about Carter," said veteran coach Mike Fleck. "To birdie his last hole and post -11 over the three rounds is exactly what he needed, great event for him."
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