MELBOURNE, Ark. - (RV) William Woods University took home its 12th American Midwest Conference team title in 19 AMC Championships - nine more than any other team - and AMC Freshman of the Year Liam Toole earned the Owls' 13th AMC individual win. The Woods topped the nine-team table and Toole the 53-golfer leaderboard in the 54-hole AMC Championships, which took place Monday and Tuesday at par-72, 7,011-yard Cooper's Hawk Golf Course.

Beating reigning AMC champion Columbia College by six strokes, the Owls carded a trophy-holding 5-under 859 (282, 285, 292). WWU's 36-hole showing on Day 1 was especially impressive as its 9-under 567 gave it a comfortable 14-shot advantage over the Cougars.

With its 34-golfer strong roster, William Woods has exemplified its depth throughout the season. Although not every Owl could play due to the conference tournament team size rule, WWU still showcased its talent, earning first-place and runner-up finishes and placing three in the top 10 and four in the top 15.

Toole led The Woods with his AMC-winning 8-under 208 (68, 66, 74), with his Round 2 6-under 66 being the best 18-hole score of the entire competition. The Sydney, Australia native notched two eagles and 12 birdies on the way to picking up one of four awards on the day, as he added a first-team All-AMC selection (received the third most votes) to his conference championship sweep and superlative accolade. Heading into nationals, Toole holds a 73.6 adjusted scoring average - used to determine All-AMC - through 22 rounds on the season.

Spencer Worley, the Owls' top placer in conference last season, was runner-up with a 209 (67, 72, 70) and joined Toole as one of three players with a below-par competition tally. The junior from Walsall, England, posted one eagle and 15 birdies. Picking up the most votes among WWU's nine All-AMC honorees and the second most overall, Worley was named to the first team with his 72½ adjusted scoring average through 25 rounds.

Jose Monge, William Woods's third and final first-team All-AMC honoree, took seventh with a 220 (72, 74, 74). A freshman from Guacima, Costa Rica, Monge registered five birdies. On the year, his adjusted scoring average is 74.3 through 25 rounds.

Tim Falk, named second-team All-AMC, tied for 13th with a 230 (75, 73, 82) for the Owls. The freshman from Lund, Sweden, holds an adjusted scoring average of 75.6 over 25 rounds this season.

Brayden Buffington also represented William Woods on the All-AMC second team, and on Day 1, he signed for a two-round 7-over 151 (77, 74) to sit tied for 12th. Since he was subbed out on Day 2, Buffington dropped to 44th. In 23 rounds of play, the junior from Bowling Green has a 75.8 adjusted scoring average in 2024-25. 

On Tuesday, The Woods golf coach, AMC Men's Golf Coach of the Year Aaron Murphy, slotted Joseph McCandless and Arthur Calmelet into the Owls' lineup, the former firing a 74 that counted toward the team score and the latter a 77. McCandless, a freshman from Stafford, England, earned honorable mention All-AMC with a 76.6 adjusted scoring average through 20 rounds for the season, and Calmelet, a freshman who hails from Paris, also received honorable mention and has a 75.9 average over 21 rounds.

Having such a stacked squad, a couple of Owls that didn't compete in the AMC Championships were named honorable mention All-AMC: Lucas Dvorak with a 76.5 adjusted scoring average over 21 rounds on the campaign, and Frederik Morch with a 76.7 average through 19 rounds.

Another golfer donning William Woods green and white gained recognition for his service off the greens, as Jaxon Green was selected as the Owls' Champions of Character representative.

"We have had a great season capped off with conference championship," Murphy said. "Can't wait until nationals and seeing these guys play TPC Deere Run."

The Owls are nationals-bound as a team for the first time in four years. They'll tee off in the 73rd Annual NAIA Men's Golf National Championship, which runs from May 20-23 at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Illinois. 

Up to 30 teams, plus individuals, will qualify for the national tournament. The championship is a four-round tournament consisting of a maximum of 156 golfers. Competition is stroke play. Each team competes with five golfers (minimum of four), and the top four scores posted each day are counted toward the team standings. The tournament field is cut after 36 holes.

Results
1 - (RV) William Woods 5-under 859 (282, 285, 292)
1st: Liam Toole 8-under 208 (68, 66, 74)
2nd: Spencer Worley 7-under 209 (67, 72, 70)
7th: Jose Monge 4-over 220 (72, 74, 74)
T-13th: Tim Falk 14-over 230 (75, 73, 82) - Round 3 didn't count toward team score
44th: Brayden Buffington N/A 151 (77, 74, SUB) - Round 1-2 didn't count toward team score
45th: Joseph McCandless N/A 74 (SUB, SUB, 74)
46th: Arthur Calmelet N/A 77 (SUB, SUB, 77) - Round 3 didn't count toward team score

2 - Columbia 1-over 865 (287, 294, 284)

3 - Williams Baptist 51-over 915 (302, 311, 302)

4 - Central Baptist 54-over 918 (300, 304, 314)

5 - Missouri Baptist 70-over 934 (317, 312, 305)

6 - Mission 93-over 957 (319, 316, 322)

7 - UHSP 101-over 965 (330, 314, 321)

8 - Hannibal-LaGrange 178-over 1,042 (355, 348, 339)

9 - Crowley's Ridge 186-over 1,050 (348, 343, 359)