MCC golfers prepare for Phoenix, Eagles move to DI next season

Meridian Community College sophomore golfers, Jarrod Lemaster and Bryant Self, will represent the Eagles at the NJCAA Division II men’s golf national championship, with competition beginning Tuesday on Palm Valley Golf Course in Phoenix, AZ. The 72-hole tournament gets underway Tuesday morning with tee times starting at 6:30 a.m. MST. The tournament, held May20-23, will conclude with 18 holes on Friday.

Scoring from the national tournament will be available at www.golfstat.com as well at the official athletics web site of host institution Phoenix College at www.phoenixcollege.edu/athletics.

The competitors will play 18 holes each day starting at 6 a.m. After 72 holes of play, the top three teams and top 18 individuals will receive awards from the NJCAA.

Earlier this month, Lemaster became the 18th MCC golfer since the mid-1990’s to sign with a four year university when he inked with the University of the Cumberlands in Williamsville, KY.

His career low score of 69 (-3) was shot in round two of the national championship his freshman season as he posted the third best scoring average on the team, which was the lowest for a MCC freshman.

He won a medalist title in just his fourth college tournament (Belhaven ’06), he has played in 22 career tournaments for MCC, posted four career rounds of Even-par or better, was named to seven career All Tournament teams, will play in the NJCAA national championship twice, and was named MCC’s Most Outstanding Player two times.

Self also has a career low round of 69 (-3), which was shot in the Andrew (GA) College Invitational (2006). He has played in record setting 26 tournaments for MCC during his career and was given the CB Hales Academic Achievement Award for two straight seasons.

He has been named to six All Tournament teams and posted five rounds of Even-par or lower during his MCC career.

“These young men were the first two players that I ever signed as the head coach at Meridian,” said MCC golf coach Sean Covich,

“I’m disappointed that the entire team isn’t making the trip, but at the same time- it’s special to have these two golfers with me as they complete their journey for MCC.”

Designed by renowned golf course architect Arthur Hills, Palm Valley Golf Club is one of the most popular championship Phoenix Arizona golf courses. The championship course plays to 7,015 yards long at a par 72.

MCC, as a team, wrapped up its spring season April 29 at the MACJC State/NJCAA Region 23 Golf Championships in Forest, MS on the par-71Forest Country Club. The Eagles finished the tournament in second place after firing a 294 in the final round, giving them a runner-up finish and the programs eight consecutive top-two State/Regional finish.

This year’s national championship trip will be MCC’s final one at the Division II level. Next season, the MCC golf team will compete at the NJCAA Division I level for the first time in school history.

“We’re so excited about the move,” said Covich.

“We’ll be the only Juco program in the state’s of Louisiana and Mississippi that is Division I, but there is some stiff competition right next door with Central Alabama, Faulkner State and Wallace-Hanceville. We look forward to paying in bigger and better competition on championship golf courses.”

MCC will officially open up their Division I era when they host the MCC Fall Invitational at Briarwood Country Club in Meridian on September 8-9 this upcoming fall season.