Black Hawk College golfers wrapped up their Fall 2022 season by qualifying for Nationals under their new coach with one player ranked 25th in the nation and four players earning All-Region honors.
“To qualify for Nationals as a first-year coach is something special, but I knew we had the team to do it,” said head coach Shayne Shepherd. “All the credit goes to my players who week in and week out gave it their all.”
Sophomore Luke Lofgren of Rock Island ranked 25th in NJCAA Division II & III as of Nov. 2 with an adjusted scoring average of 72.68. He was ranked as high as 20th in the nation with an adjusted scoring average of 71.1 on Oct. 30.
Freshman Dan O’Neill of Milan also was ranked in the Top 150 NJCAA Division II & III players as of Nov. 2 with a 76.23 adjusted scoring average.
“Overall, I am pleased with our fall season, but I know we can do more. The main objective was to qualify for the National Championship and we did that,” Shepherd said.
The BHC golfers return to competition March 28-29 when they play in the ICC Cougar’s Spring Invite at Metamora Fields Golf Club in Metamora, IL.
Here’s a wrap-up of the Braves’ Fall 2022 tournaments:
Aug. 26 – Highland 36 at Park Hills Golf Course West Course
- 1st of 13 teams with a 609.
- Lofgren – Medalist with a 134 (-10)
- O’Neill – 4th with a 148 (+4)
Aug. 29 – Duane Chanay Invite at Oakwood Country Club
- 1st of 15 teams with a 304.
- Lofgren – Medalist with a 67 (-4)
- O’Neill – 2nd place with a 70 (-1)
Sept. 1 – Clarke Invite at Eagle Ridge Resort – The General
- 2nd of 17 teams with a 313.
- Lofgren – 2nd with a 74
- O’Neil – 8th with a 77
Sept. 13 – Skyhawk Classic at Deer Valley Golf Club
- 2nd of seven teams with a 315.
- Mason Steinert of Geneseo – 3rd overall with a 75
Sept. 16 – Kishwaukee Invite at Fairways Golf Course
- 3rd of eight teams with a 313.
- Lofgren – 2nd with a 71 (-1)
Sept. 19 – Cougar 36 at Coyote Creek Golf Club
- 5th of eight teams with a 635.
- Lofgren – 6th with a 151
Sept. 22 – IVCC Invite at Senica’s Oak Ridge Golf Club
- Tied for 2nd of eight teams with a 311.
- Lofgren – Medalist with a 69 (-3)
Sept. 26 – Sandburg Invite at Fyre Lake Golf Club
- 4th of seven teams with a 329.
- Lofgren – 2nd overall with a 76
Sept. 30 – Region IV Preview at Prairie View Golf Club
- 4th of 12 teams with a 313.
- Lofgren – 4th with a 74
Oct. 6-8 – Region IV Championship at Prairie View Golf Club
The Braves overcame a six-shot deficit heading into the final round to finish 3rd of 12 teams with a 939. That qualified the team for the 2023 NJCAA Division II Men’s Golf Championship May 23-26 at Swan Lake Resort in Plymouth, IN.
Four players received All-Region honors (most of any team in the Region):
- Lofgren – 4th with a 229
- O’Neill – 5th with a 232
- Evan Earl of Sherrard – 13th with a 240
- Sam Spurgetis of Moline – 14th with a 240