Indian Hills finishes in third place

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Indian Hills is taking home some hardware after all. The Warriors finished in third place at the 2008 NJCAA Division I National Tournament with a final round 291 Friday.

Midland Community College won its second title in three years with 1189 strokes after 72 holes. Defending champion Scottsdale Community College took second with a 1197.

“Today, we went out and we knew we had to post a good number,” Indian Hills coach Mike Hagen said. “We went out and got off to a fast start today. We held on and kept playing some good golf.”

Instead of carrying home the third place trophy, the Warriors might have claimed an even bigger piece of hardware if it weren’t for Wednesday’s second round. Indian Hills led after the first round of the tournament, but on Wednesday the team shot a 314, easily their highest total of the tournament.

“You can always look back and say, ‘Wow that 314,’” Hagen said. “If it was just 300, we win the tournament. I think it says a lot about our players at Indian Hills. They came out and did well the last two days.”

Nate Smith and Chris Dougill both finished with all-American honors for their efforts this week. Smith — an Ottumwa graduate — finished with 301 strokes. Friday’s round was the last of his three-year career at Indian Hills.

“I couldn’t have been happier with Nate Smith this year,” Hagen said. “Nate shot a 77 today, but he clawed for every shot. He didn’t have it, but he stuck in there.”

Dougill ended his tournament with a 302. Jake Weeber carded one of the low rounds of the day with a 68 to finish with a 302.

“Jake and I had a little talk last night,” Hagen said. “Jake could have felt bad for himself and packed it in, but he came out here today and posted a score. It was neat to see Jake as a sophomore come finish his career on top.”

Eric Anfinson had a 312 total after the four day event. Steven McGlynn played another good round on Friday, shooting a 70. McGlynn’s second round score was disqualified after he signed an incorrect score card on Wednesday. If not for the gaffe, McGlynn would have finished in seventh place overall.

“After what happened Tuesday, he brought his game the last two days,” Hagen said. “That’s the type of player Steven is — one of the best in the country. It was nice to see him comeback.”

The tournament was the last competition as Warriors for Smith, Weeber and Anfinson. Dougill and McGlynn both return next season to give Indian Hills a talented pair at the top of its lineup.

At River Trails Course

5-23-08

Par 72

Team scoring — 1. Midland CC 1189; 2. Scottsdale CC 1197; 3. Indian Hills 1200; 4. Lon Morris CC 1202; 5. McLennan 1204; 6. Hutchinson CC 1212; 6. Brevard CC 1212; 8. Paris CC 1214; 8. Central Alabama CC 1214; 8. Wallace State CC 1214; 11. Cape Fear CC 1227; 12. New Mexico CC 1231; 13. Odessa CC 1248; 14. Johnson County CC 1255; 15. Frank Phillips College 1262; 16. Dodge City CC 1269; 17. Pima CC 1273; 18. Kansas City KS CC 1276; 19. Coffeyville CC 1298; 20. Western Texas CC 1302; 21. Hill CC 1311; 22. Trinidad State CC 1355; 23. Hiwassee CC 1498.

Medalist — Dave Thomas (Midland) 290.

Runner-up — Steven Brame (Cape Fear) 294; Richard Williams (Cent. Alabama) 294; Rich Saferian (Scottsdale) 294.

Indian Hills individuals — Nate Smith 75-75-74-77 301, Chris Dougill 70-79-76-77 302, Jake Weeber 75-79-81-68 303, Eric Anfinson 77-81-78-76 312, Steven McGlynn 75-DQ-72-70.