Oakton College Men’s Golf Team qualifies for Nationals for the first time in program history
The national championship will be held in Joplin, Missouri, from May 21-24
The Oakton College Men’s Golf Team has achieved a historic milestone by qualifying for the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division II Championship for the first time in the program's history. This historic qualification comes after a stellar performance at the NJCAA Region 4 tournament, at which the Owls clinched a third-place finish.
“The qualification for the nationals is a proud moment for Oakton’s Men’s Golf Team,” said Louis Walker, head coach. “The team has put in tremendous effort throughout the season, and it's gratifying to see their hard work pay off. We’re excited about competing at the national level, and I believe this experience will be memorable, especially for our freshmen, as it will set a strong foundation for future success.”
The competition at the regional tournament was fierce. Entering the final day and third round to determine the national qualifiers, Oakton was closely behind Black Hawk College and ahead of Madison College. As the round concluded, Oakton and Illinois Valley Community College were neck-and-neck, but the Owls managed to outscore the Eagles by six strokes, finishing just three strokes shy of second place Madison.
Three Oakton golfers — Cole Shane, Daniel Allegretti, and Ryan Belz — received All-Region 4 honors in recognition of their outstanding performances. Shane, Allegretti and Belz are all graduates of Maine South High School.
“We started the year as strangers,” said Allegretti. “As the season went on, we grew closer and created a bond, helping each other improve our skills. It's rewarding to have begun as underdogs and to now demonstrate our abilities on a national stage.”
The 2024 NJCAA Division II Championship will be held at Twin Hills Country Club in Joplin, Missouri, May 21-24.
“The upcoming four-round format presents a new challenge, different from our usual one or three-round tournaments. This higher-level competition offers a valuable learning experience and we are eager to experience it,” added Belz.
For statistics, schedules and results, please check out the Oakton College Athletics website: oakton-owls.com.