MCC golf duo, coach cap great run at national tourney

HOBBS, N.M. – The season for two McCook Community College golfers came to a close Friday at the final round of the National Junior College Athletic Association national championship.

The tournament was also the last one for MCC Coach Tyler Coach, who is stepping down from coaching duties at MCC.

Freshman Andrew Brown (Wollongong, Australia) and freshman Matt Grimonprez (Villenuave-d'ascq, France) both finished the day shooting rounds of 80.

"It wasn't the tournament results either Matt or Andrew envisioned but they put together a great year and will be two strong competitors next year," said MCC Coach Tyler Loop.

Brown finished the tournament at +24 shooting rounds of 76, 78, 74 and 80 for a total of 308. Grimonprez had a 326 with rounds of 86, 83, 77 and 80.

"It was a blast to spend the week with them and I'm thankful for the memories," said Loop.

Loop, who spent 11 years at MCC, helped the team to five national tournament appearances between 2018 and 2023, including a No. 16 place finish a season ago and a No. 13 ranking in the final regular-season rankings.

In 2020 Loop's team was named the NJCAA top academic golf team in the nation compiling a 3.67 grade-point average. The Indians had the top academic scores from among 180 junior college golf programs across the nation.

New Mexico Junior College claimed the team title Friday shooting a 12-under par to finish with at 13-under for the tournament – three shots better that Odessa College and seven better than Midland Community College. Eastern Wyoming from Region IX finished in 16th place.

Dodge City's Thanaphon Suwannapratheep claimed top individual honors with a nine-under 275 for the four rounds.