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HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - The Union University men's golf team earned a runner-up finish at the Battle for the Belt Tournament hosted by Henderson State University. The 3-round event was played at the Hot Springs Country Club, featuring 13 teams with 71 golfers. 

Union junior Andrew Westmoreland from Atoka, Tennessee took medalist honors. He was 12-under for the event, shooting all three rounds under par. He was second after a first round 3-under, moved up to first place with a 4-under second round, and then extended his lead with a 5-under final round Tuesday. He won by three strokes over Ty Werynski (Delta State) and Dennis Staykov (Harding). This was Westmoreland's first collegiate medalist finish. Andrew Westmoreland finished with 17 birdies, including seven in the final round. He improved his score each round. 

Union hot a 7-over first round, settling into a tie for fifth place with host Henderson State. However, Union and Henderson State both fired a tournament best 11-under par in the second round to shoot up the leader board into a tie for first place. In the final round, the two teams went back and forth, each holding the lead at different times. Henderson State jumped in front late with a 9-under round to edge Union by two strokes. Union's 7-under final round was more than enough for second place. Harding finished in third place at even par for the tournament, 11 shots behind Union. 

Trace Robinson finished 13th for Union at even par for the tournament. He was 2-over in the first round, shot a 4-under second round, and then 2-over in the final round. He recorded 11 birdies, including six in his 4-under par second round. 

Jackson Hughey and Lane Carr both finished in a tie for 23rd place with 4-over par for the tournament. Hughey shot up the leader board, improving 21 spots in the final round, with a 3-under final round. He was 8-over in the first round and 1-under in the second round. Hughey tallied 12 birdies, including five in the final round. 

Carr recorded one of Union's two eagles on the week, getting a two on the par-4 16th hole in the second round. He was 5-over in the first round, 2-under in the second round, and 1-over in the third round. Carr had nine birdies to go with his eagle. 

Matthew Westmoreland, the sophomore brothers of medalist Andrew, finished 41st with a 9-over par tournament. He had the other eagle for Union, a score of three on the par-5 18th hole in the final round. He tallied 11 birdies, including five in the final round. 

Up next for Union will be the Derral Foreman Invitational, October 20-21, in Cleveland, Mississippi hosted by Delta State University. 

-UNION-