T-Birds Gear up for the NJCAA DI Golf Championship
The NMJC golf team begins its quest for the first national championship in program history this week in Newton, Kan. at the par-72 Sand Creek Station golf course. The 72-hole tournament features four 18-hole days from May 16-19.
The T-Birds have an early tee time in round one at 7:50 a.m. CDT.
The Thunderbirds are ranked No. 2 in the country behind the two-time defending national champion Hutchinson Community College Blue Dragons.
NMJC is no stranger to Sand Creek Station. The Thunderbirds won there in the fall by three strokes over Hutchinson in the NJCAA National Preview September 28, 2022. NMJC finished 6-under par in the 54-hole tournament.
This team features a different lineup following the departure of Louisville signee Mads Røddik. The Thunderbirds will be led by sophomore sensation Matthis Lefèvre. The Frenchman has nine wins to his name at NMJC plus a professional win in the New Mexico Open. Lefèvre finished runner-up with a 74-68-70 (-4) in Newton this past fall. He is expected to be a frontrunner for the individual title in this championship.
"It all starts with Matthis having a great week and having a chance individually to win," NMJC head golf coach Jay Rees said. "We need everyone else to follow and have a chance to be par or better. If we eliminate the big numbers and three putts we will be in great shape."
Freshman Travis Robbie will slide into the No. 2 role. Robbie is a rookie when it comes to playing Sand Creek Station. The Aussie was not in the lineup when NMJC attended in the fall. Robbie has had a spectacular spring season with one win at the Thunderbird Invitational in February and a runner-up in his last outing at the NJCAA District 2 Championship.
"Travis has been the most improved player for us this year," Rees said. "His balance and professionalism on the course go a long way. You really cannot replace a player like Mads, but Travis has stepped up and helped fill the void with his consistent play this spring."
Sophomore Tim Chan fills the No. 3 spot for NMJC. Chan has three Top 4 finishes this spring for the T-Birds. Last fall, Chan went 71-69 (-4) in his first two rounds at Sand Creek Station. An uncharacteristic final-round 84 put him in a tie for 29th in the tournament. The Hong Kong native is the catalyst for how well the Thunderbirds will perform as a team.
Will Green is the fourth member of the lineup for NMJC. Green shot 72-72-75 (+3) to finish tied for 12th in Kansas last fall. The Portsmouth, England native had a memorable second round at Sand Creek Station when he was four over with four holes to play and finished birdie-eagle-par-birdie to shoot an even-par 72. The T-Birds will need more of that English magic if they want to win their first golf national title.
Jono Boediman will occupy the final spot in the lineup. The Australian has been solid all spring with four Top 15's and two more Top 25's in his seven tournaments. Boediman is familiar with the fifth man duties in Newton. The freshman had the same role back in September when the T-Birds won the National Preview. Boediman shot 78-73-75 (+10) to finish in a tie for 37th place. Boediman's best performance that week came in the second round when he battled back from a pesky quadruple bogey on the par-3 seventh hole to make birdies on 14, 15, and 16 to shoot a 1-over 73.
Oskar Blomdahl is the sixth man and substitute in the T-Bird lineup. Blomdahl came to NMJC in the spring of this year. The Swede could be inserted in the lineup if an injury were to occur or if head coach Jay Rees decides to shake things up in the lineup.
Coach Rees said he was impressed by the quality of the course and its conditions as they ready for the first round.
"The venue is a championship worthy course. It is in great shape and is the best course we have played at all year. There are no excuses, the best team this week will win."
This week has special meaning for the Rees who is a born and raised Kansas native.
"I recently buried my parents here in Kansas. Coming back to my home state of Kansas, the memories never go away. This is a full circle moment for me and my career to have the national championship here. It will probably be the most meaningful championship I have been a part of if we can pull this off."
NMJC earned postseason awards Monday night. Matthis Lefèvre was named an NJCAA Division I PING First Team All-America. Freshman Travis Robbie was named an honorable mention. Lefèvre and Robbie were both earned South Central All-District Team honors as well. NMJC head coach Jay Rees was honored as the South Central Coach of the Year.
"Winning the Coach of the Year award is a reflection of how special these guys are," Rees said.
Click here to see live stats for the NJCAA DI Men's Golf Championship.