Eagles Climb Leaderboard to Finish 2nd at Ranger Classic

An MCC Eagles golfer drives a shot off the tee during the Lou Hart Invitational.
An MCC Eagles golfer drives a shot off the tee during the Lou Hart Invitational.
August 26, 2025

HOLLY SPRINGS, Miss. – Meridian Community College men's golf opened the 2025 season with a strong showing at the Ranger Classic, finishing runner-up in the two-day event held Aug. 25-26 at Kirkwood National Golf Club.

The Eagles carded a 39-over-par team total to place second overall in the MACCC's first event of the season. East Central claimed the tournament title at 29-over, while Calhoun finished third at 42-over.

MCC began play Monday morning at 9:30 a.m. and ended the opening round in fourth place. Sophomore Ayers Mathis paced the Eagles with a steady 1-over-par round, placing himself inside the top five on the individual leaderboard.

On Tuesday, the Eagles teed off at 8:40 a.m. determined to make a move. The team responded by climbing two spots in the standings to secure second place. Mathis closed the tournament at 6-over-par, finishing in the top 10 overall. Sophomore Dax Reaux followed at 8-over, freshman Daniel Young at 12-over, sophomore Jace Duckworth at 13-over, and freshman Jamie Bell at 21-over.

Head Coach Lance Strickland praised his team's effort in the season-opening tournament. "I'm really proud of how our guys battled back in the final round to move up the leaderboard," Strickland said. "This was a great way to start the season and gives us momentum moving forward."

The Eagles return to action Sept. 22-23 at the Northeast Invitational, hosted at Shiloh Ridge Golf Club in Corinth, Miss. For more information, rosters, and schedules, visit mcceagles.com.