NMJC Golf Dominates T-Bird Invitational by 15 Shots
The NMJC golf team won the T-Bird Invitational at Rockwind Community Links Saturday, Feb. 25.
The Thunderbirds shot 34-under par (542) over two rounds to defeat 19-under par Ranger College by 15 strokes. The victory gave the T-Birds their fifth win of the season.
The weekend was a special one for NMJC as the school recognized former NMJC golf head coach James Ross Black into the WJCAC Hall of Fame. Current golf head coach Jay Rees was there Friday night to support the legendary coach. Ironically the next day Rees would pass Black for most victories by a golf coach in a single season with five wins.
"Seeing Coach Black being inducted into our Hall of Fame was very special and I am glad I could be there for him and his family," Rees said.
Sophomore Matthis Lefèvre hoisted a trophy for the third time this season and a school record eighth time overall on Saturday. The sophomore went 65-70 to shoot a 9-under par 135 to tie Ranger's Nickie Kaajavirt and teammate Travis Robbie.
The trio went to a playoff to decide the trophy winner on the par-5 18th. The Frenchman found the putting surface on his second shot to set up an eagle opportunity from 30 feet with his competition sitting inside 15 feet for birdie.
Lefèvre faced a downhill putt from the back right portion of the green towards the back middle of the green.
The putt glided down the surface inching its way toward the edge of the cup. The ball slowed as it approached the right lip ever so slightly pausing before dropping in the back door of the cup. Lefèvre fist pumped as the crowd broke out into a loud roar. The putt even left teammate and playoff foe Travis Robbie smiling in awe.
Freshman Travis Robbie earned his second win of the season on Saturday. Golfstat recognizes ties for first place as wins. Robbie made seven birdies, an eagle, and two bogeys in his final round to shoot a 7-under 65. The Aussie birdied his final two holes of the day, hole 18 and hole 1 to make the playoff. Robbie finished the tournament with a two-round total of 135 (70-65).
Tim Chan finally found his form this spring after shooting a 7-under 137 (66-71) to tie for fourth place. Chan sat at 2-over par through his first 13 holes of his second round. The Hong Kong native battled back with birdies on 14, 16, and 18 to post a 1-under 71 in the final round.
Freshman Will Green shot a 6-under 138 (72-66) en route to a tie for sixth place. The Englishman's tie for sixth place was a career-best finish for the Thunderbird. Green finished his round birdie-birdie on hole 1 and 2 to shoot 66. The second-round 66 was his first under par round this season.
Freshman Oskar Blomdahl rounded out the five man lineup with a tie for 13th after shooting a 2-under par two-day total of 142 (74-68).
Jono Boediman was the leader in the Thunderbird individual pack of eight. Boediman posted a 2-under par 142. The Australian came in a tie for 13th place after posting a 69-73.
Freshman Perry Bucay went 74-72 to record a 2-over par two-day total of 146. The Filipino finished in a tie for 33rd place.
Raul Fernandez was also 2-over par for the tournament. The freshman finished in 33rd place after shooting a two-day total of 146 (75-71). The second-round 71 was the Spaniard's lowest round in competition at NMJC.
Freshman Matt Walters shot a two-day total of 147 (75-72) to post a 3-over par score and tie for 39th place.
Sophomore Diego Prat-Cruza tallied a 4-over par two-round total of 148. Prat-Cruza shot a 75 in round one and a 73 in round two to finish in a tie for 43rd.
Carson Hackmann struggled to find form in Day 1 of the tournament shooting 79. Hackmann's luck would change on day two after he registered a 2-under par 70 to post a two-day total of 149. The Montana native completed the tournament in a tie for 48th overall at 5-over par.
Freshman Rio Jang shot a consistent 76-76 for a two-day total of 152. The South Korean finished in a tie for 58th at 8-over par.
Javier Nguyen shot an 18-over par 162 over the course of the two-day event. Nguyen finished in 67th place after posting an 86-76 at the invitational.
Coach Rees was happy with how his team performed at their home course.
"There were so many positive highlights, but the 36 hole total, I think was the lowest 36 hole total ever in our T-Bird Invitational," Rees said. "Some highlights for me include watching Matthis Lefèvre win for the eighth time as a T-Bird and Travis Robbie shooting the low round of the day (65) on the final day of competition. Our top six players shooting under par on the final day was phenomenal as well."
The T-Birds are nearing the halfway point of their season and are beginning to carve an identity as a team.
"Now that we are into the heart of our schedule, I feel we have great chemistry and work ethic," Rees said. "I can see the passion that these guys have by how they support each other like a family. I believe we are moving in the right direction, and I am very proud of our men's golf team for reaching a school record of five wins in one season!"
NMJC golf will play next in College Station, Texas at The Happening. The 36-hole event takes place March 6-7 at the par-71 Golf Club @TAMU.
