Riverland golfers ready for national competition

Published 12:00 am Monday, June 3, 2002

Justin Bennett and Jeff Clark of Riverland Community College tee off in the first of four rounds at the National Junior College Division III Men’s Golf Championships Tuesday morning at the Chautauqua Golf Club in Chautauqua, N.Y.

Bennett, who placed 22nd as a freshman, guaranteed the school’s fifth consecutive season of sending a golfer to the National Tournament with a third-place finish at Regionals in the fall. Clark was one stroke shy of sharing the outright honors with Bennett, but worked his way in as the 10th qualifier after another golfer was deemed ineligible.

Bennett and Clark play a practice round today before beginning competition Tuesday morning. Both start on the back nine at Chautauqua, with Bennett’s threesome teeing off at 9:24 a.m. and Clark’s group right behind them at 9:32 a.m.

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"I'm really excited for Jeff," said Riverland golf coach David Lillemon. "I can remember the disappointment from when he finished one shot out of the top 10 at regionals. He'll work very hard and I'm very excited for his opportunity."

An Austin native, Clark's two-day total of 159 was one stroke shy of tying for 10th place at the Region XIII meet during the fall. Bennett, from Albert Lea, will have some company this week.

"We'll have great representation at the nationals," Coach Lillemon added.

The four-day, 72-hole event convenes Tuesday and finishes Friday.