McCollum's Column: Sorting through Conway golf and UCA football connections

We’ll gather up an assortment of leftover tidbits for this batch of “David’s Appetizers,” assorted musings from the sports scene:

HITTING ’EM NICELY

Bryce Molder and Mary Michael Maggio are doing a fine job of carrying on Conway’s rich golf tradition.

Molder has made the final 70 in the FedEx Cup playoffs. He stood in a tie for 19th after the first round of this weekend’s BMW Championship then fell into a tie for 33rd. The field for the final event will be reduced to 30 after this weekend’s play. Molder, in his most successful year in eight as a pro, is pretty much assured of retaining his PGA Tour card for next year. He ranks 60th (well within the 125 standard) on the money list and is 66th in FedEx points going into the tournament.

As a freshman, Mary Michael Maggio is playing at No. 2 on LSU’s 11th-ranked women’s golf team. She won the decisive match earlier in the week when the Tigers defeated Auburn for the championship of the Hooters Collegiate Match Play Championship at Daytona Beach, Fla.

For a golfer to move to No. 2 on a respected team as a freshman is a significant achievement. Her effort in her first college tournament was impressive.

UA FOOTBALL

Certainly, there was reason for excitement, but fans can’t really judge the University of Arkansas football team either way right now.

The Razorbacks’ victory over outmanned Missouri State was a form-chart effort. The Hogs did pretty much what they wanted.

The real test will be against Georgia next week.

But even against outclassed opposition, Hog quarterback Ryan Mallett showed he may be up to the preseason hype.

IN WAITING

While waiting for a call from a pro football team, Nathan Brown, one of the most prolific quarterbacks in state history, is idling his time.

He’s staying in shape, has enrolled in graduate school at UCA and is serving as a volunteer assistant for the UCA football program.

“He’s doing exactly the right thing, I think; stay with it and learn all you can until the chance come, ” said former UCA receiver Tom McConnaughey, who is a scout for the San Diego Chargers.

While the Bears were in Hawaii last week, UCA coach Clint Conque was assisted in various ways by three of his former players, representing various stages of his UCA coaching career. Scott Brezee and Brown are both volunteer assistant, while Jon Rodrigeuz, now a law enforcement officer, serves on his security detail.

That connection is special to him. He set up a picture with him and all three former players at Pearl Harbor.

SLC REPRESENTATION

As the NFL season begins, there are 14 former Southland Conference players on NFL rosters.

Included in that is former UCA tight end Marquez Branson, who is on the practice squad for the Denver Broncos.

(Sports columnist David McCollum can be reached at 505-1235 or david.mccollum@thecabin.net)