Cougars Capture Regional Championship; Belisle Claims Individual Medalist Honors

The South Mountain Community College men's golf team won the NJCAA Region I Division II Championship at Gold Canyon Golf Course in Gold Canyon, Ariz., from April 29-May 2. Freshman Cecil Belisle claimed individual medalist honors with a four-under, 276 over the four rounds of competition, including a five-under performance over rounds two and three. The Cougars now will get a chance to defend their 2019 National Championship at the 2021 NJCAA Division II National Championships on May 18-21 at Swan Lake Resort in Plymouth, Ind.

As a team, the Cougars finished the event at 11-over, 1131 for the four rounds. SMCC posted rounds of 281, 278, 285 and 287 to defeat second-place Glendale Community College by 27 strokes and third-place Mesa Community College by 47 strokes. The Cougars' second-round score of 278 was the only team score under par at the event. 

A freshman from Red Wing, Minn., Belisle was the only competitor to finish under par at the event. He opened with an even-par 70 in the first round to sit in fourth place. In the second round, Belisle carded a three-under 67 and followed with a two-under 68 in round three to give him a five-stroke advantage. He proceeded to score a one-over, 71 to tie for the third-best round on the day and claim the individual medalist honor.

Sophomore Nick Hedman finished second at the tournament, totaling a four-over, 284 in 72 holes. He had scores of 71, 69, 72 and 72 to edge Glendale CC's Riley Brown for runner-up. by one stroke. 

Freshman Damon Vilkauskas tied sixth at the tournament with a nine-over, 289. He opened with a one-under 69 and then posted rounds of 73, 73 and 74 to match Glendale CC's Justin Simpson for sixth. Sophomore Ryan Macpherson finished eighth at 11-over, 291, carding rounds of 71, 73, 72 and 75. 

Freshman Jando Hernandez played three rounds at the event, opening with a one-under 69 in the second round. He then carded scores of 75 and 70 to finish at four-over in his 54 holes. 

The Cougars will now turn their attention to the 2021 NJCAA Division II National Championships in Indiana. SMCC won the event in 2019 but could not defend its title in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. However, the 2020 squad was named Academic National Champions by the Golf Coaches Association of America.