14 Jun 2023 Harding’s Howell named Central Region Coach of the Year

Posted at 5:00 PMh in Sports by

SEARCY — Harding Men’s Golf Coach Dustin Howell has been honored with the prestigious NCAA Division II Central Region Coach of the Year award, presented by Golf Pride Grips. Howell’s outstanding leadership and coaching prowess guided the Harding team to a remarkable season, culminating in its first-ever appearance at the NCAA Division II National Championships.

Dustin Howell

Highlights from the 2022-23 season: 

  • Competing at the Avalon Lakes Golf Course in Warren, Ohio, the Harding tied for eighth in its first national appearance.
  • The path to the national championships was paved by the team’s exceptional performance at the NCAA Division II Midwest/Central Region, held at The Bridges in Winona, Minnesota. Harding tied for fifth, its best finish in its four regional appearances.
  • Harding posted a program-best third-place finish at the Great American Conference Championship and earned the No. 3 seed in the NCAA Central Region rankings.
  • Harding finished the season ranked 34th in Division II, its highest-ever national ranking. The Bisons’ previous high was 52nd in 2021-22.

Harding set school records with 513 birdies and 14 eagles. The Bisons also had a program-best .757 winning percentage, topping the previous high of .698 in 2017-18.