MCC golfers miss goal of making national championship tourney

LOVELAND, Colo. – The McCook Community College golf team did not qualify for the NJCAA national tournament after finishing sixth among eight teams in the two-day West District Tournament at the Olde Course. The field included seven Region IX teams and Eastern Arizona (Thatcher, Ariz.) from Region I.

“It was definitely not the results anyone was looking for this week, which is always frustrating, but even more so when it means the end of our season,” said MCC Coach Grant Case.

The one team not in Region IX claimed the championship of the tournament. The teams played one round Thursday and two on Friday. Eastern Arizona was in a tie for third place after the first day but had rounds of 284 and 294 Friday to finish 10 shots ahead of Central Wyoming. Eastern Wyoming finished third, 14 strokes behind the Arizona team.

MCC had rounds of 325, 315 and 330 to finish sixth, 18 shots back of fifth place Lamar.

“This team really formed a close bond with each other which makes this kind of ending especially tough,” said Case. “I’m really proud of these guys and the season that they were able to put together, through all the highs and lows.

Freshman Louis Yin (Tainan, Taiwan) had MCC’s low three-round score with a 241. He had rounds of 78, 76 and 87 to finish in a tie for 20th place. Joackym Mahy (freshman, Andenne, Belgium) was one shot back of Yin. After shooting an 86 on Thursday, he responded with rounds of 80 and 76 on Friday.

Rawlins County High School freshman Jeb Kastens, had a three-day total of 248 with rounds of 91, 76 and 81. Freshman Braiden Portie (Arvada, Colo.) had a 251 with rounds of 82, 83 and 83.

“I’m excited to see our freshman continue to develop over the summer and come back ready to compete in the fall,” said Case.

Sophomore Cole Graham (McCook) shot a 79 on Thursday which put him in a tie with five other golfers for 16th place. He had rounds of 88 and 90 Friday to finish at 257.

“For those who will be leaving/graduating, Jalen Collicott and Cole Graham, I can’t thank them enough for what they’ve meant for the program,” said Case. “I know they will continue to do great things in whatever is next.”

TEAM RESULTS

NJCAA WEST DISTRICT TOURNAMENT

The Olde Course – Loveland, Colo.

1. Eastern Arizona + 22 308- 284- 294 – 886

2. Central Wyoming + 32 305- 291- 300 – 896

3. Eastern Wyoming + 36 300- 298- 301– 900

4. Northeastern JC + 46 305- 303- 302 – 910

5. Lamar CC + 88 322- 317- 313 – 952

6. McCook CC + 106 325- 315- 330 – 970

7. North Platte CC + 134 336- 328- 334 – 998

8. Otero College + 148 335- 331- 346 – 1,012

MCC INDIVIDUAL SCORES

T20. Tzu-Hsun Yin + 25 78-76-87 – 241

T22. Joackym Mahy + 26 86-80-76 – 242

27. Jeb Kastens + 32 91-76-81 – 248

T29. Braiden Portie + 35 82-83-86 – 248

33. Cole Graham + 41 79-88-90 – 257