DuPage defends Region 4 crown, advances to national tournament
BYRON, ILL. - Follow a season postponed from the fall to the spring due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, the College of DuPage successfully defended their 2019 title with an 11-shot victory over Madison College at the Region 4 Division II Golf Tournament at PrairieView Golf Club on Sunday and Monday. The Chaparrals maintained a double-digit lead throughout a Covid-shortened 36-hole tournament to finish with a 644 team score.
Through the event's first nine holes, the Chaparrals and WolfPack were virtually neck-and-neck, but the defending champs propelled themelves to a 13-shot advantage by posting a 318 team total, while Madison College came in at 331. The WolfPack attempted to erase the deficit throughout Round 2 three players improving upon their opening round scores. In the end, the 324-326 edge for Madison College on Monday was not enough to overcome the overall differential. The College of DuPage secured their seventh title in the last nine years under Region 4 Coach of the Year Jason Hyatt.
The individual battle for Region 4 Tournament medalist was even more exciting. Mark Spitzer, the lone entry in the field from Elgin Community College, started out red-hot and held a narrow lead near the end of the opening nine holes, however, that is when first year Madison College golfer Curt Zoet surge with several birdies to sit atop the leaderboard. As the round made it's way through the back nine, College of DuPage freshman Sam Gerry and Madison College sophomore AJ Gray leapfrogged Spitzer and Zoet as co-leaders at four-over-par 76. Spitzer was one back at 77, and Zoet was two off the pace going into the Round 2. The quartet continued to go swing for swing, with Gerry signing off on a three-under 33 and a solo lead after 27 holes. The momentum did not last with Gerry falling back to the pack with a 42 on the back nine. Gray narrowed the gap to a single stroke with four holes to go, but Gerry held him off to claim medalist honors with a seven-over-par 151. Gray was one shot back at 152, narrowly missing out on qualifying for the national tournament as an individual. Zoet was third with a 154, followed by Spitzer's 157 for fourth.
The 2021 NJCAA Division III Men's Golf Championships at Chautauqua Golf Club in Chautauqua, New York, runs from June 7-11.
Division III All-Region Team
First Team
Sam Gerry
AJ Gray
Curt Zoet
Mark Spitzer
Bryce Stair
Second Team
Elias Finazzo
Gabe Brock
Coach of the Year
Jason Hyatt
(Image courtesy of College of DuPage Athletics)