LUBBOCK, Texas — The No. 16 Blinn College men’s golf team placed 19 out of 24 teams at the NJCAA Division I Men’s Golf Championship at The Rawls Course Thursday.
“What an accomplishment for the men’s team to be named Region XIV champions and get to go to nationals in our first full year,” head coach David Johnson said. “We didn’t play like we wanted to this week, but that’s golf. This team has set the bar high for the future teams here at Blinn and I couldn’t be prouder of their academic and athletic performances this year.”
Blinn placed 19th after recording team scores of 311, 317, 311 and 311 for a four-round total of 1250. No. 1 Hutchinson Community College won the tournament with a four-round total of 1,136.
Cameron Gray tied for 39th to lead the way for the Buccaneers. He shot rounds of 1-over-par 73, 76, 75, and 77.
“My overall performance this week wasn’t how I would have liked it, but I kept my cool and managed to make some putts to tie for 39th place,” Gray said. “I really enjoyed my experience playing in my first American national event for Blinn.”
Hayden Roup tied for 70th place after shooting rounds of 75, 82, 77, and 80. John Baker tied for 79th with scores of 83, 80, 79, and 3-over-par 75. Baker finished the tournament strong with the low score for the Buccaneers on the final day.
“I struggled on the front nine, but made four birdies on the back nine on the final day,” Baker said. “It is a tough course and I felt like I did a decent job getting around it.”
Riley Simmons tied for 87th place after shooting three rounds of 80 and a 81. Travis Edwards placed 95th with scores of 86, 79, and a pair of 80s.
Blinn has competed in intercollegiate athletics since 1903 and captured 42 NJCAA national championships since 1987.
