Southern Illinois senior Matthis Besard claimed his second-straight individual title of the 2021-22 season Tuesday at the Grover Page Classic in Jackson, Tennessee. Besard led the field of 92 at the Jackson Country Club with commanding round scores of 68, 66, and 67 to finish at 15-under par, which tied the school record for individual 54-hole score with a total of 201. Besard moved past Jake Erickson (2009-2013) for most individual tournament wins in program history with his fourth career individual title.
“Matthis is doing a great job in his role as a senior,” said SIU head coach Danielle Kaufmann. “He is consistent and the last two tournaments has proven the kind of player he is. He has that desire to win and that’s exactly what he does.”
Southern Illinois improved each round, carding 295, 289, and 286 to finish fifth overall with a total of 870 (+6). UT Martin, the tournament host, took the team title with a score of 852 (-12) with Tennessee Tech finishing runner-up at 857 (-7).
SIU led the 16-team field with 62 birdies in the tournament. Freshman Braden Hoisington tied for 30th place with a total of 220 (+4). Senior Tom Cleaton posted 77 on the final day of play to finish tied for 58th place at 226 (+10). Senior Birgir Magnusson fired 73 in the third round to finish at 227 (+1), tied for 61st place. Sophomore Justin Wingerter picked up an eagle on the last day to finish at 230 (+14), tied for 72nd place.
WHAT’S NEXT
The Salukis return to Carbondale, Illinois to prepare for the 2021 TVA Community Credit Union Invitational, hosted by the University of North Alabama, on October 18th & 19th in Florence, Alabama.
TEAMS
1 UT Martin 282 277 293 = 852 (-12)
2 Tennessee Tech 286 282 289 = 857 (-7)
3 New Orleans 288 281 296 = 865 (+1)
4 Belmont 294 287 287 = 868 (+4)
5 Southern Illinois 295 289 286 = 870 (+6)
6 Union University 294 290 288 = 872 (+8)
7 Indian Hills CC 301 290 285 = 876 (+12)
8 Austin Peay State 298 288 291 = 877 (+13)
T9 SIU Edwardsville 296 286 302 = 884 (+20)
T9 Bellarmine 302 295 287 = 884 (+20)
11 Murray State 293 298 296 = 887 (+23)
12 Alabama State 303 293 292 = 888 (+24)
T13 Nicholls State 297 293 299 = 889 (+25)
T13 Central Arkansas 300 290 299 = 889 (+25)
15 Tennessee State 299 304 309 = 912 (+48)
16 Eastern Illinois 318 308 306 = 932 (+68)
SIU
1 Matthis Besard 68 66 67 = 201 (-15)
T30 Braden Hoisington 74 75 71 = 220 (+4)
T58 Tom Cleaton 76 73 77 = 226 (+10)
T61 Birgir Magnusson 77 77 73 = 227 (+11)
T72 Justin Wingerter 80 75 75 = 230 (+14)
