Gothenburg, Nebraska -- Indian Hills can now set its sights on defending its national title after the Warriors used a solid second-round performance to take first place in the NJCAA District III Championship on Monday and qualify for next month's championship. Indian Hills trailed by three shots after the day's first 18 holes, then made up the difference with a 10-under par team total in the second 18 to go ahead by three strokes. And that lead became the final margin when the decision was made to cancel Tuesday's final 18 holes on because of a dreary weather forecast.
The Warriors trailed Hutchinson CC after round one, then overtook the Blue Dragons with their 278 score in the second round, besting Hutch by three shots. Hutchinson, whom Indian Hills defeated to win the NJCAA District Preview meet on the same Wild Horse Golf Club course last fall, played some incredible golf in both rounds, according to IHCC coach John Mulholland.
"We got off to a much better start and made adjustments after round one," said Mulholland. "We enjoyed the challenge of the wind blowing over 30 miles an hour and being behind. We knew coming in that we could play well in bad conditions from our trip here last fall" when the Warriors won the Preview.
Jesse MacNaughtan helped IHCC stake the claim to its 6th consecutive district title with his five-under par 67 over the final 18 holes. That was the best round of the tourney and earned him a spot on the all-tournament team. Mulholland called MacNaughtan's 67 a "super impressive round." Close behind was teammate Harry Doig, who fired a three-under 69 in the second round. Indian Hills sophomore Joe Hodgson had the squad's third sub-par round, with a two-under 70, contributing to the Warriors' 10-under total. Five of the six IHCC golfers shot the same score or a lower number in the second round. Hodgson and George Clarke led the way in round one with even-par 72s.
Hodgson and MacNaughtan wound up in a three-way tie for 3rd place behind Hutchinson's Charlie Crockett and Peyton Austin, who finished one-two. Hodgson also claimed a spot on the all-tourney team. He nearly holed a bunker shot on his final hole. Clarke tied for 8th, Ethan Keane and Max Leclerc were part of a group that tied for 13th, and Doig rallied with his 69 to move into a tie for 17th.
Mulholland said, "We had some fantastic rounds individually, but the whole team contributed with their scores and that's the most satisfying thing as a coach."
The team win was the 3rd in five meets this spring for the Warriors, who now have two weeks to prepare for the national meet at the Duran Golf Club in Melbourne, Fla., May 14-17.
"We can't wait to be at nationals," the IHCC coach said, "It's a course I think we will do well on, as I have played the course when I coached previous teams at Duran. We are prepared for the course and who we think wil be contenders -- schools we played in Texas this spring. Having a chance to play for a national championship is what we have worked for all year and we want that trophy as much as any other team that will be there."
NJCAA District III Championship
Team scores:
- Indian Hills 292-278=570; 2. Hutchinson 289-284=573; 3. Iowa Western 299-283=582; 4. Dodge City 295-291=586; 5. Garden City 299-292=591; 6. Barton County 302-301=603; 7. Kansas City Kansas 324-295=619; 8. Allen CC 343-331=674
Indian Hills scores:
T3. Joe Hodgson 72-70=142; T3. Jesse MacNaughtan 75-67=142; T8. George Clarke 72-72=144; T13. Ethan Keane 75-72=147; T13. Max Leclerc 73-74=147; T17. Harry Doig 79-69=148