Everything just seemed to click for the Missouri Southern men’s golf team last week as the Lions won the North Alabama Fall Classic at Blackberry Trail Golf Course (Florence, Alabama).

The Lions won the tournament with a team record low 568, which crushed the old record of 579 from a third place finish at Central Missouri in 2002.

Southern won this year’s tournament by three strokes over Arkansas Tech which shot 571, followed by top ten ranked North Alabama’s 573, and Drury with 579.

“A lot of times we just hang in there,” said Southern Head Coach Kevin Greim. “This tournament we played great down the stretch and held on for the win.”

The Lions were led by sophomore Andy Hogenmiller who tied for third place with an overall 139, and put him at five under par for the tournament.

“It was good to see Andy get back to playing like he can,” said Greim. “He had been in a slump lately, but he came out of it this tournament and played flawless golf for two days.”

The Lions felt the pressure in the last holes when North Alabama tried to make a run, but Southern had a solid 17th hole (par 5 with water guarding the green) with four pars and a birdie that sealed the win.

“The last four or five holes were really nerve wracking,” Greim said. “Watching the guys hit quality shots with all the pressure was really fun to watch.”

Some of those quality shots came from Southern’s Junior Jamie Voegeli who also shot five under par for the tournament. Voegeli shot a course record 65 the first day, and a 74 to follow it up the second day.

“Jamie’s first day was incredible,” said Greim. “He birdied six of the last seven holes, and that was just phenomenal.”

Both Hogenmiller and Voegeli were named to the All- Tournament team.

With the win the Lions are in a tie for 2nd in the MIAA standings, and end the fall portion of their season with four top five finishes.

“It is a great way to end the fall,” Greim said. “But I really wish we had another tournament now because I think we would go win that one too.”

The Lions will look to continue their success in the spring, and hope to make a run at post season play.

“We’ll have to play better if we want a shot to make the regional,” said Greim. “We do not have to win every tournament, but we have to play similar golf.”

The Lions will host their own tournament April 11th and 12th at the Twin Hills Country Club.