MCC golfers finish fourth, fall short of return to nationals

PUEBLO, Colo. – The McCook Community College golf team finished fourth at the District 1 Championship Friday at Walking Stick Golf Course. For the first time since 2017, the team will not qualify for the NJCAA National Championship tournament.

MCC had moved into third place, just three shots back of second place Otero to start play Friday but the Indians posted a 318 Friday to finish 18 shots out of second place and three shots out of third place.

“It was a tough breezy day and unfortunately we didn't have the day we were hoping for,” said McCook Community College Coach Tyler Loop. “This is a good young team that came a long way this year and will have an excellent chance at qualifying for nationals next season.”

MCC shot a 306 opening-round in the first of two rounds Thursday and followed that up with a 303.

Eastern Wyoming wins the tournament and claims the qualifying bid to the national tournament with a +19 for the three rounds with a total of 883. Otero was second with a +45, 909, Central Wyoming was +60 and shot a three-round total of 924,

“Even though the team came up short, we had two individuals qualify by placing in the top eight this week so MCC will be represented once again at nationals,” said Loop.

Freshman Matt Grimonprez (Villenuave-d’ascq, France) was tied for first place after an opening round 71. He followed that up with rounds of 76 and 77 to finish in fifth place with an eight-over 224. Andrew Brown (freshman, Wollongong, Australia) was one shot back of his teammate and finished in a sixth-place tie at 225. He shot rounds of 77, 73 and 75.

Zachary Woods (Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia) shot rounds of 77, 74, 81 and finished with a 229. Ross Donachie (Narin, Scotland) had a 249 and Chance Gambini (Las Vegas, Nev.) had a 256.

Eastern Wyoming’s Joshua Chapman claimed top individual honors with a one-over 217.

Grimonprez and Brown will represent MCC at the National Tournament May 14-17 at the Rockwind Community Links in Hobbs, N.M.

Up-to-date information about MCC golf, including schedules, statistics, rosters and photos can be found on the MCC Athletics website.

TEAM RESULTS AT DISTRICT TOURNAMENT

1. Eastern Wyoming + 19 288-291-304 – 883

2. Otero JC + 45 302-304-303 – 909

3. Central Wyoming + 60 305-306-313 – 924

4. McCook CC + 63 306-303-318 – 927

5. Northeastern JC + 82 311-321-314 – 946

6. Lamar CC + 87 314-317-320 – 951

MCC INDIVIDUAL SCORES

5. Matt Grimonprez + 8 71-76-77 – 224

T6. Andrew Brown + 9 77-73-75 – 225

12. Zachary Woods + 13 74-74-81 – 229

23. Ross Donachie + 33 84-80-85 – 249

26. Chance Gambini + 40 87-86-89 – 256

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