Jake Wallis led the Arkansas State Red Wolves men’s golf team to second place after the opening round of the 2026 Sun Belt Conference Championship at Annandale Golf Club on April 27. Wallis posted a score of four-under-par 68, finishing one stroke ahead of Benjamin Fernandez from Southern Miss and Sakke Slitala from Texas State.
The performance is significant as it places Arkansas State in strong contention for the championship, with three team members finishing under par in the first round. The event showcases both individual and team achievements within a competitive collegiate setting.
Wallis finished his round with birdies on holes 16 and 17 and secured an eagle on the final hole, marking his seventh eagle this season. Thomas Schmidt recorded a two-under-par 70, tying for fourth place, while Cole Kirby finished at one-under-par 71 to tie for tenth. Milan Reed ended at three-over-par (tied for thirty-seventh), and Jake Lile closed out at five-over-par (tied for fifty-second). The team’s total score was four-under-par (284), extending its single-season program record to twenty-two rounds of par or better. Only Coastal Carolina posted a lower team score at six-under-par, according to results released by Arkansas State University.
According to the official website, the Arkansas State Red Wolves Men’s Golf competed in the Sun Belt Conference. The site also reports that home events are played in Jonesboro, Arkansas, and that players come from diverse backgrounds including Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Australia, England and several U.S. states.
As reported by their official website, the program is part of Arkansas State University’s athletics department as an intercollegiate men’s golf program.
The second round will begin Tuesday morning at eight o’clock with live coverage available on ESPN+ and Scoreboard.
