The Southern Arkansas University Muleriders secured a notable third-place finish at the 2026 Great American Conference Championship Tournament with a score of +28 (892 total strokes) over three rounds. The team's performance included rounds of +12, +4, and +12. Luke Cote led the individual standings for the Muleriders, finishing sixth with a score of +4, thanks to consistent rounds of 73, 75, and 72. Jett Stephenson also shone, tying for seventh at +6, while Collin Spangler came in tied for 11th at +7. The team is now shifting their focus to the upcoming Division II Central Region Regional.

By the Numbers
  • Muleriders finished with +28 over par (892 total strokes)
  • Luke Cote finished sixth with +4 (73, 75, 72)
  • Jett Stephenson tied for seventh at +6 (76, 72, 74)
Yes, But

While the Muleriders had a strong performance, they may need to improve consistency in their rounds, especially since three rounds saw two peaks at +12. Their ability to perform under pressure during upcoming postseason events will be crucial.

State of Play
  • The Muleriders finished the GAC Championship ranked third overall.
  • Luke Cote has recorded four top seven finishes this season.
  • Carter Bell achieved his third top 20 finish in this tournament.
What's Next

The Muleriders are set to compete in the Division II Central Region Regional, where they will aim to build on their success and continue their momentum from the GAC Championship.

Bottom Line

The Muleriders demonstrated resilience and skill at the GAC Championship, setting the stage for a competitive postseason. Consistency will be key in upcoming tournaments for them to advance further.