May 20, 2024 • by Josh Coles
, talk us through the players and teams to watch, and what they’re looking forward to at the NJCAA Men’s DII National Championship. The tournament takes place at Twin Hills Golf and Country Club on May 21-24.
Making the transition to Scoreboard was a little tricky at the time and there were many question marks but I think things are working out now. In terms of rankings, 37 out of the top 40 individuals and 14 out of the top 20 teams have qualified for the NJCAA DII Men’s Championships. That tells you something is right!
With team performances, the continued excellence of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College throughout the season has been phenomenal.
Whilst there have been lots of great performances, the standouts are Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. They have played 13 tournaments this season and won 12 of them!
While Mississippi Gulf Coast may come in as the favorites, they'll have to go through defending champions Kirkwood Community College to do it.
Kirkwood were the winner of a very tough district (Region 11 - North Central (14) District). They may have lost a few key players, but still have plenty of experience in this year's squad.
Finally, you can’t ignore South Mountain Community College. They’ve won numerous championships over the last 10 years.
The way Mississippi Gulf Coast have performed this year, it is looking like them and everybody else. They won their district by 65 shots! That was with the 7th, 10th and 12th ranked teams nationally competing in the same tournament.
South Mountain will also be strong and are historically pretty good. Then there’s Roane State and Walters State who could both put in strong team performances and mount a challenge.
Will Burnham from Mississippi Gulf Coast came in as Outstanding Freshman last year and has continued his dominance this season. Ranked No.1 in the rankings, he'll be tough to beat. Right behind him will be his very own teammate Andrew Zielinski.
Dillon Dean from South Mountain has had a great freshman year that includes five wins and six top 3s
Will Thompson from East Central Community College, Grant Greazel from Kirkwood, Oscar Toreld from Copiah Lincoln Community College and Drew Teeter from Des Moines Area Community College are also players to watch.
Outside of the Mississippi Gulf Coast team, you’ve got Grant Greazel who is ranked No.8 nationally with three wins this year. Will Thompson from East Central is another great player, he's ranked No.3 nationally with three wins this year and four top 3s. Finally, I’d also keep an eye out for Kieran McCarthy and Louie Stott of Roane State. They’re ranked No.15 and No. 37 respectively and both have a victory behind them this season.
I’ve not actually been to Twin Hills Country Club before so I don’t know too much about it. However, when speaking to others who know it better, it sounds like it will provide a stern test and if conditions aren’t favourable, be very tough!
I've been to Twin Hills numerous times. It's a great course and a fantastic venue that has hosted a few NJCAA National Championships in the past. They do a brilliant job of making players, coaches and spectators feel welcome.
The competitors will need to be accurate with their driver as the fairways are tree lined. The stretch of holes from hole 11 through 15 is very tough and will almost certainly have an impact on who lifts the trophy at the end of the tournament. Interestingly, train tracks run through the course between holes 9 and 10. You then have to hit over them on the par 3 18th and whilst not many trains pass through, there are some!
Overall it's a great venue for golf and the NJCAA DII Men’s National Championship is lucky to be there.
Several top teams will be vying for the title. Although Mississippi Gulf Coast will be the clear favorites, there is a lot of depth at the top heading into this year’s tournament.
Meeting all the participants and coaches. There are people coming from all over the country to play in this championship. I can’t wait to build relationships with everyone involved.
Finally, playing in a National Championship is special, I’m really looking forward to seeing the players embrace it. For many it will be the biggest event they have played in, I just hope they take it all in. It’s going to be a pleasure to watch.