Hoelzer Captures All-American Honors As No. 3 Express Golf Finishes 10th At Nationals

Brandon Hoelzer attempts a putt on the eighth hole of today's final round of the NJCAA D-II National Tournament. He captured NJCAA D-II Honorable Mention All-American honors. Photo by Nicholas Huenefeld/Owens Sports Information
Brandon Hoelzer attempts a putt on the eighth hole of today's final round of the NJCAA D-II National Tournament. He captured NJCAA D-II Honorable Mention All-American honors. Photo by Nicholas Huenefeld/Owens Sports Information
Posted: May 24, 2013

By Nicholas Huenefeld/Owens Sports Information

Scottsboro, AL---The No. 3 Express golf team struggled in their final round of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) D-II National Tournament, but finished a successful season with a 10th place finish, which ties the best finish in program history (2008).

The Express shot a final round 311 (+23) today and finished with a four-round total of 1,197 (+45). After the second round, the team was just +3 as a team, but shot a combined 618 over the past two days - compared to 579 over the first two days.

Darren Gessner closed out his final day for the Express as the team's low scorer at 75 (+3). Other Express scores included: Walter Dorosh (78, +6), Brandon Hoelzer (79, +7), Blaze Hogan (79, +7) and Luke Berger (80, +8).

For the tournament, Hoelzer led the Express with a 294 (+6) finish. He tied for 25th place. Other scores were: Berger (299, +11, t-35th), Gessner (304, +16, t-57th), Hogan (304, +16, t-57th) and Dorosh (310, +22, t-77th).

As a team, the Express finished with scores of 298-281-307-311. Their second round score broke a program record for lowest 18 hole score.

Notes

Hoelzer was named an NJCAA D-II Honorable Mention All-American following the conclusion of the tournament for his 25th place finish. He becomes only the second Express golfer to achieve All-American honors, following Joey Bussdieker's Honorable Mention All-American year in 2007-08. 

The Express golf team closed, perhaps, the most successful season in program history today. Prior to the national tournament, they had not lost to a junior college team all year. Additionally, they captured the Ohio Community College Athletic Conference (OCCAC) title by sweeping every OCCAC tournament. They also achieved the program's highest ranking in the NJCAA D-II National Poll at No. 3.

No. 1 South Mountain (AZ) Community College captured their second straight national title with four-day total of 1,139 (-13). Walters State (TN) Community College (1,171, +19) and John A. Logan (IL) College (1,183, +31) finished second and third.

David Keenan of Parkland (IL) College captured the individual national championship with a four-day total of 280 (-8).

The tournament was held at Goose Pond Colony Golf Course in Scottsboro, AL.