May 7, 2016

NIACC men sit in 7th place at regional golf tournament

PANORA — NIACC struggled Saturday on the opening day of the Region XI tournament and it sits in seventh out of eight teams after shooting a 334 at Lake Panorama National Golf Course. Kirkwood leads at 307.

"We aren't pleased with how we played (Saturday) because our practice rounds (Friday) were very encouraging," NIACC coach Chris Frenz said. "I thought the guys competed hard, but just couldn't stay away from a couple of mistakes on each side, and when you make a mistake on this course, it makes you pay."

Zach Nicolson led the Trojans with an 81 (41-40), Joe Nordquist carded an 83 (40-43), Chris Staudt shot 84 (42-42) and Brandon Nordman added an 86 (43-43). A national tournament qualifier last year for the Trojans, Sam Steinwand struggled Saturday, carding a 95 (42-53).

"Zach hit the ball very well today and honestly should have shot around a 78 or so, but that's the game of golf, woulda, shoulda, coulda," Frenz said. "Now he needs to put together a solid day two and he still has a chance to get to the National Tournament. Right now he's four shots off the cut line."

Northeast's Preston Peters and Kirkwood's Jordan Even carded rounds of 74 to hold the individual lead heading into today's final round.