After carding team scores of 276-280, the Racers won their annual home event for the first time since 2019 on Tuesday, Oct. 15. 

“The Buddy” is held every year at Miller Memorial Golf Course in Murray, Kentucky in memory of former golf and football coach Buddy Hewitt. Hewitt coached the football team from 1947-1949 and the golf team from 1961-2001. 

Hewitt won two Ohio Valley Conference team titles and coached seven OVC medalist winners. He was inducted into the Golf Coaches Association of America Hall of Fame in 2001, as soon as he had retired. Hewitt passed away at the age of 87 on May 15, 2015.

Murray State brought The Buddy Championship home after senior Kamaren Cunningham finished with a total card of 206 and senior Jay Nimmo finished with a total of 209. Cunningham ultimately finished third and Nimmo finished fourth in the event. 

Redshirt sophomore Rocco Zakutney finished with a card of 212, tying him for seventh place in the event. Sophomore Lennon Albans totaled a card of 213 to tie for eleventh place and redshirt freshman Trey Wall totaled 215 to tie for twentieth place. Murray State finished 18 strokes under par to get their first event win of the year. 

“To get the win at our home course and honor coach Buddy Hewitt is so special,” said Racers Head Coach Jacob Miller. “Also, for our seniors to put the work in and get the first team win in their careers, I am so happy for them and our program. We’re looking forward to wrapping up the fall season at the Outer Banks this weekend!”

The Racers will head to Powells Point, North Carolina to participate in the Old Dominion-OBX Intercollegiate on Sunday, Oct. 20.