SMCC Men's Golf Places Fourth at NJCAA Division II National Championships
PHOENIX ---
The South Mountain Community College men's golf team placed fourth at the 2024 NJCAA Division II National Championships May 21-24 at Twin Hills Golf and Country Club in Joplin, Mo. The Cougars overcame harsh weather conditions on the first day to steadily move up the leaderboard over the final three rounds and finish at 39-over 1,191. Individually, freshman Dillon Dean tied for fourth at 3-over 291 to lead SMCC, while freshman Eric Klutke tied for 20th (12-over 300) and freshman Dylan Kohner tied for 27th (14-over 302).
SMCC opened with a 19-over 307 and improved to a 4-over 292 in its second round. The Cougars posted scores of 7-over 295 and 9-over 297 to wrap up the competition. They finished 21 strokes behind National Champion Mississippi Gulf Coast CC.
Dean carded a three-over 75 in his first round, picking up an eagle three on the par-five No. 16 and a pair of birdies. He posted five birdies in his second round to finish at 1-over 73 and added three more birdies in his third round to record an even-par 72. Dean's final round saw him birdie four out of five holes on the front nine and add a fifth on the back end to post a 1-under 71 and earn First-Team All-American honors.
Klutke had three birdies in round one to finish at 5-over 77 and added two in his second round to finish at even-par 72. He posted one in his third round to post a 2-over 74 and closed with three birdies over his final 18 holes to post a second 5-over 77. For his performance, Klutke earned Honorable Mention All-American honors.
Kohner posted rounds of 79, 75, 76, and 72 over the four days. He had one birdie in each of his first two rounds and had three apiece in the third and fourth rounds, plus an eagle three on the par-five No. 7 on the last day.
Sophomores Cole Finch and Brady Clark tied for 41st at 17-over 305. Finch posted scores of 76, 78, 74, and 77. He had two birdies in round one, one in rounds two and three, and four in round four, including two of the final three holes.
Clark carded rounds of 79, 72, 75, and 79. He had two birdies in rounds one and two and one in rounds three and four.