MCC golfers wrap up national championship in Phoenix

(Phoenix, AZ) – Meridian Community College sophomore golfers, Jarrod Lemaster and Bryant Self, battled everything that the Arizona desert climate could muster in one week at the NJCAA Division II men’s golf national golf championship in Phoenix, AZ.

The week began with round one on Tuesday at the 7,015, par 72, Palm Valley Golf Club with temperatures reaching a record high of 110 degrees in the desert terrain.

Lemaster, a native of Scottsboro, AL, posted an even-par 72 despite the heat. Self, a native of Tupelo, struggled to an opening round 79.

Wednesday brought a different challenge in gusting winds and high temperatures, although not record highs. The tournament field, boasting over 127 junior college golfers from around the nation, shot an average score of 81 in the 40 mph winds. Lemaster struggled to an 83 while Self battled the winds with a one-stroke improvement from round one with a 78.

Thursday brought another challenge from Mother Nature, a lighting storm and brief rain halted play for nearly one hour in the middle of the round. Self who was 1-over par at the time of the delay was affected by the stoppage of play and faltered down the stretch to post an 80. Lemaster shot a 77 on the third day.

Final round Friday brought unseen temperatures for the Phoenix area in quite sometime for the month of May. A morning low in the upper 40’s greeted golfers that started around 7 a.m. Temperatures eventually warmed up to the 60’s, about half the temperature of Tuesday’s record high. Self posted a final round of 73 and Lemaster a 75 to close out their MCC careers.

Lemaster finished t-47 and Self t-57.

“I was very proud of Bryant and Jarrod,” said MCC golf coach Sean Covich.

“That final day Byrant missed at least 6 birdie putts and he could’ve easily shot in the 60’s, but he made a 10 foot par putt on his final hole and that always makes you feel good as you end a round and career.”

“Jarrod started hot with an even-par on day one but the wind ended up getting him throughout the week, but he’s moving on to a four-year university in Kentucky to further his college playing days.”

Tyler (TX) Junior College won the team national championship by three shots over Darton (GA) College. Mesa (AZ) Community College finished third.

Tyler sophomore, Marc Rice, won the individual title with rounds of 70-73-72-74 (+1).