Black Hawk returns to top of Region 4 with wire-to-wire run
BYRON, ILL. - Black Hawk College was the class of Region 4 men's golf for more than a decade, winning 14 consecutive region titles between 2006 and 2019. The Braves snapped a three-year run without a championship by taking the 2024 NJCAA Region 4 Division II Men's Golf Tournament on April 28-30 at PrairieView Golf Club. Led by medalist Mason Steinert, BHC posted a three-day total of 945 to hold off a late charge from runner-up Madison College with a 955. Steinert shot nine-over-par 225 for the tournament to earn Region 4 Golfer of the Year, while Shayne Shepherd was named Region 4 Coach of the Year. (Recap: Black Hawk)
2024 NJCAA Region 4 Division II Men's Golf Tournament Final Results
Black Hawk College opened the event with an 18-hole team score of 319 to lead second place Carl Sandburg College by four, followed by Illinois Valley Community College in third, Oakton College in fourth, Madison College in fifth, and Sauk Valley Community College in sixth. Following an intense Round 2, the top six teams changed in order following the Braves in first at 637. The Owls moved into second with a 319, followed by the WolfPack in third after a 317. The Chargers shot a 341 to fall from second to sixth and the Eagles were fifth after a 333. The tournament's final day saw a 308 by BHC to secure the championship, and Madison College, who nearly closed the gap on Black Hawk during the round, finished second after a 306. Oakton ended the 54-hole championship in third with a 958 total that sat six shots better than fourth place IVCC despite a tournament-best 304 on the last day.
Individually, Steinert was one of three players to post three sub-80 rounds, using a one-over 73 on the last day to defeat Oskar Akerlind (228) of Highland Community College by three. Tyler Picken of CSC was third with a 230. Jonathan Cooper from IVCC turned in the tournament's best 18-hole score of even-par 72 on Tuesday to move into fourth place ahead of BHC's Titus Cramer.
Black Hawk, Madison, and Oakton, as well as Akerlind, Picken, and Cooper, all qualified for the 2024 NJCAA Division II Men's Golf Championships at Twin Hills Golf & Country Club in Joplin, Missouri, from May 21-25.
Historic Season for Mason Steinert!
— Black Hawk College Golf (@bhcgolf19) May 2, 2024
The Braves golfer became just the 4th player in BHC history to hold the Individual Conference Championship and the Individual Regional Championship in the same season!
Led the Braves to win both Championships this season! ����#Bravesgolf pic.twitter.com/Wr8fAjv8mr
All-Region Team
First Team
Mason Steinert - Black Hawk College
Oskar Akerlind - Highland Community College
Tyler Picken - Carl Sandburg College
Jonathan Cooper - Illinois Valley Community College
Titus Cramer - Black Hawk College
Second Team
Cole Shane - Oakton College
Peter Gustafson - Madison College
Kirby Torola - College of Lake County
Logan Beers - Carl Sandburg College
Daniel Allegretti - Oakton College
Third Team
Ryan Belz - Oakton College
Brent Schmiesing - Madison College
Jake Delaney - Illinois Valley Community College
Brady Callmer - Madison College
Kyle Wolfe - Sauk Valley Community College
Region 4 Golfer of the Year
Mason Steinert - Black Hawk College
Region 4 Coach of the Year
Shayne Shepherd - Black Hawk College
(Image courtesy of Black Hawk College Athletics)