Posted: May 23, 2022

Chargers’ Phillips Ties for 43rd at National Tournament

JOPLIN, Mo. — Carl Sandburg College men's golf freshman Clayton Phillips (New London, Iowa/New London) tied for 43^rd at the NJCAA Division II Championship last week at Twin Hills Country Club.

Phillips kicked off the tournament with a 1-over-par 73 in Tuesday's first round, which included four birdies and saw him shoot a 1-under 35 on the opening nine holes. After a second-round 80, Phillips bounced back with a 78 in the third round.

Inclement weather delayed the conclusion of the third round and forced a cut to the original field of more than 125 players after 54 holes. Phillips landed right on the cut line and closed with a final-round 76 on Friday for a total of 307 (19 over) for the tournament.

Phillips advanced to nationals by earning the last of five individual qualifier spots at the Region IV tournament at PrairieView in October. Sandburg's men's golf program has qualified as a team or advanced an individual to the national tournament 10 years in a row and 14 times in the last 15 seasons.

Cecil Belisle of South Mountain shot even par for the tournament to win the national title by three strokes. South Mountain also won the team national championship with a 72-hole total of 1,183, finishing 19 shots ahead of runner-up Mississippi Gulf Coast.