Walls Paces Pioneers in Evangel Valor Invitational

Walls Paces Pioneers in Evangel Valor Invitational- Wil Teague, Sports Information Director, 4/14/26

Pioneer golf wrapped up its final spring tournament ahead of the American Midwest Conference Championship on April 20, finishing 10th as a team at +113 with a total score of 977 over the 54-hole event.

Springfield, MO – Freshman Christian Walls led the Pioneers at the Evangel Valor Invitational, posting rounds of 72 (+1), 74 (+3), and 78 (+7) for a three-round total of 224 (+11). His opening round of one-over par stood as the team's lowest round of the tournament. The Paragould native recorded seven birdies and an eagle—coming on hole seven in round two—to pace the team and secure a 13th-place individual finish.

Fellow freshman Christopher "The Bear" Riddle followed closely behind, finishing second on the team with rounds of 75 (+4), 76 (+5), and 75 (+4) for a total of 226 (+13). Riddle carded one birdie in each round, finding success on hole seven in round one and hole 13 in both rounds two and three. He finished 20th overall.

Sophomore Blake Brothers placed third for the Pioneers, shooting rounds of 83 (+12), 87 (+16), and 83 (+12) to finish at 253 (+40). Brothers recorded two birdies during the tournament, both coming during the opening 36 holes and both on hole 13. He finished 60th overall.

Senior Kyle Russell rounded out the team scoring, finishing at 264 (+51) with rounds of 83 (+12), 94 (+23), and 87 (+16). Russell tallied two birdies, one on hole five in round one and another on hole seven in round two, placing him 62nd overall.

Freshman Slayde Barker also competed for the Pioneers, finishing 67th overall with a score of 275 (+62) with rounds of 96 (+25),  94 (+23), and 85 (+14)  over the 54-hole event.

Up Next: The Pioneers will face off in the AMC showdown on April 20th at Coopers Hawk Country Club in Batesville, AR. #GOPIONEERS 

Photo Credit: Natalie Harrell