Blue Raider Men's Golf to compete in Blessings Collegiate Invitational

Saturday, October 3

Fayetteville, AR

Middle Tennessee

Blessings Collegiate Invitational

10/2/2026 9:00:00 AM | Men's Golf

By: Willie Phaler, MTSU Athletic Communications

JONES, Ark.- Middle Tennessee men's golf is rounding into mid-fall season form as they are slated to compete in the Blessings Collegiate Invitational, hosted by Arkansas. Five Blue Raiders are making the trip to Arkansas, for the team event. This weekend's event marks the first time the Blue Raiders have competed in the Blessings Collegiate Invitational.

The tournament, scheduled to run from Saturday, Oct. 3 through Monday, Oct. 5 at Blessings Golf Club in Johnson, Arkansas is a par 72 course. The trip to Arkansas follows up a productive trip to Houston for the Bayou City Collegiate classic, with Connor Henry taking home his first career individual win.

Quick Notes

Middle Tennessee enters the third tournament of its fall schedule on a high note individually, with two individual wins so far. Fifth-year Jake Hopper took home his first career win at the Grover Page Classic two weeks ago. Connor Henry followed up Hopper's effort with a win of his own at the Bayou City Collegiate Classic in Houston, turning in a 10-under 206 scorecard.
At the Bayou City Collegiate Classic, the Blue Raiders finished in sixth place out of 13 teams at the event. This includes a total score of 863.
Freshman Stiles Hunter continued a steady run to start his collegiate career, putting up the second lowest total out of the six Blue Raiders in Houston. Overall, Hunter was six-over on the tournament after shooting a 73, 74 and 75. The freshman has the second-lowest average per round, sitting at 71 strokes. This trails only Connor Henry at 70.
The tournament will be a homecoming for Stiles Hunter. A native of nearby Rogers, Arkansas, Blessings Golf Club is situated about half an hour from Hunter's hometown.
Maddox Crowder and Clay Pendergrass both finished their latest tournament at eight-over par. Pendergrass had a roller coaster day one, starting things off with a seven-over 79. Later that day, the senior put up a two-under 70. On the flip side, Crowder put up a 76, 75 and a 73 to finish T52 with Pendergrass.
Jake Hopper comes into the tournament after shooting nine over during the Bayou City Collegiate Classic. The fifth-year senior had a solid start to the tournament, accumulating 73 and 74 strokes in the first two rounds.

Projected Lineup

The Blue Raiders projected lineup for the tournament includes: Connor Henry, Jake Hopper, Maddox Crowder, Clay Pendergrass and Stiles Hunter.
This will be the second consecutive tournament the Blue Raiders have entered these five golfers in for team play.

Scouting the Opponent

The Blessings Collegiate Invitational will be played at Blessings Golf Course in Jones, Arkansas. The event includes nine men's teams, while nine women's teams will be competing at the same time.
Middle Tennessee will be competing alongside eight other men's teams, including the host, Arkansas. Other entries include Nebraska, Kansas State, Southern Mississippi, Oral Roberts, North Texas, UNC Greensboro and Oral Roberts.
This weekend will mark the seventh time Arkansas has hosted the event.
Arkansas is currently ranked 13th in the country in the GCAA Coaches' Poll. UNCG also received six votes in the poll.

Follow the Blue Raiders: Follow Middle Tennessee Men's Golf on social media on Facebook /MTMGolf, X (@MT_MGolf) and Instagram (@mt_mgolf).