HIGH FIVE: DuPage stakes claim to fifth consecutive, 23rd overall Region 4 title
BYRON, ILL. - The list of teams contending may change from year-to-year, but one thing remains clear when it comes to the NJCAA Region 4 Division III Men's Golf Tournament: it belongs to the College of DuPage. The Chaparrals claimed their fifth consecutive crown at PrairieView Golf Club on May 12-13, giving them 23 total region crowns and 12 under Hall of Fame head coach Jason Hyatt. DuPage posted a two-day of 640 to clip runner-up Rock Valley College by 11 shots, giving Hyatt yet another Region 4 Coach of the Year award. Region 4 medalist honors was decided in a playoff, which was won by RVC's Griffin Smits over Hagan Rank of COD to send Smits to the national tournament. (Recap: DuPage)
2024 NJCAA Region 4 Division III Men's Golf Tournament Final Results
The College of DuPage opened up a 14 shot lead after Round 1, posting a tournament-best 315 team score. The Golden Eagles tried to close the gap with a Round 2-leading 322; however, the 325 tally by the Chaparrals was enough to hold off the competition. Rock Valley College finished with a 651, while Joliet Junior College was third at 711 in their first year of having men's golf after a lengthy hiatus.
Smits, a sophomore, opened play with a tournament-low round of two-over-par 74, to lead Rank by two. Rank, also a second year player, posted a 79 in Round 2 to pull even with Smits at 155. Rock Valley's Axel Lovgren placed third with a 158 (81-77).
The College of DuPage, as well as Smits and Lovgren, qualify for the 2024 NJCAA Division III Men's Golf Championships at Chautauqua Golf Course in Chautauqua, New York, from June 4-7.
Region IV DIII Champions! Held off a charge from a good Rock Valley squad! Hagan (2nd), Jakob (4th), Anthony (5th) and Sam (6th) are All-Region! Coach Hyatt, Coach of the Year! Onto Chautauqua, NY June 4-7! Good playing guys! #family @njcaa @NJCAAGolf @gochapsgo pic.twitter.com/SybWRxMdTU
— College of DuPage Men/Women Golf Program (@dupage_golf) May 13, 2024
All-Region Team
First Team
Griffin Smits - Rock Valley College
Hagan Rank - College of DuPage
Axel Lovgren - Rock Valley College
Jakob Schmidt - College of DuPage
Anthony Regimand - College of DuPage
Sam Sager - College of DuPage
Bautista Elizalde - Rock Valley College
Region 4 Golfer of the Year
Griffin Smits - Rock Valley College
Region 4 Coach of the Year
Jason Hyatt - College of DuPage