BLOOMINGTON – After finishing third place in the dark at last year’s NJCAA tourney in Bloomington, RLC regained the title today in auspicious circumstances.
Downpours in Bloomington on Monday, and a fantastic first-round on Sunday, brought with them a first-place finish for the men’s golf team at the NJCAA State of Illinois Tournament at Prairie Vista.
A win is a win, despite the means, according to RLC coach Dave Smith.
Leading John A. Logan Community College by one stroke going into play on Monday, RLC’s second-round performance became a matter of speculation as showers blanketed central Illinois.
“We could have gone out there and lost it,” Smith said. “We’ll take it.”
Sophomore Nate Sanders (Benton) led the Warriors’ combined score of 305 with a 73 on Sunday and placed fourth, securing him a spot on first team, All-State, at the tournament. Steve Mumford (Birmingham, England) shot a 75 for ninth place in the tournament and a position on second team, All-State. Blaze Ellis (Mt. Vernon) shot a 78, Jeremy Fleetwood (Benton) shot a 79 and Greg Stewart (Benton) shot a 79.
“I tried to make as many puts as I could,” Sanders said. “My short game was pretty good yesterday. I hit a lot of greens and made a few puts.”
Team standings:
1.RLC 305
2.John A. Logan 306
3.Rock Valley 308
4.College of Lake County 309
5.Blackhawk College 312
6.Highland Community College 313
7.John Wood Community College 314
8.Lincoln College 316
9.Parkland Community College 317
10.Illinois Central College 320
11.Lewis and Clark College 320
12.Illinois Valley College 320
13.Southwestern Illinois College 322
14.Springfield College 323
15.Danville Area College 330
16.College of DuPage 331
17.Carl Sandburg College 333
18.Waubonsee Community College 334
19.Sauk Valley Community College 335
20.Kaskaskia College 336
Smith said his players need to focus on the little things on the road to the regional in October.
“If we play consistent, quality golf, we’ll just let it happen,” he said.
According to Smith, perennial rival John A. Logan had a great round of golf to win the Illinois Community College Fall Classic on Saturday in Peoria and is one of the teams RLC will be looking to beat in the regional. Others include Springfield College, Illinois Central College and Parkland Community College, he said.
The Warriors will play Sept. 17 and 18 at the John A. Logan Invitational in Marion.