PANORA – NIACC sophomore Kai Nelles is in a tie for 16th place after the first two rounds Monday at the NJCAA North Central District Championships at the Lake Panorama National Golf Course.
Nelles shot a 86-77 – 163 in the 36 holes Monday under extremely windy conditions. The 77 by Nelles is the lowest round at the district tournament for a NIACC men’s golfer since Ben Boerjan shot a 77 on the second day of the 2019 district tournament.
“It was great to see Kai put up a solid 77 on the second 18,” NIACC coach Chris Frenz said, “and with a good day (Tuesday), you never know.”
The top three teams qualify for the NJCAA Division national tournament plus the top three individuals not on the top three teams.
DMACC is the first-day 36-hole leader with a 312-315 – 627. Kirkwood sits in second place with a 315-313 – 628 and Iowa Central is in third with a 319-319 – 638.
Kirkwood’s Kolby Shackelford is the individual leader at 78-74 – 152. The Eagles’ Grant Greazel is in second with a 76-78 – 154.
NIACC is in ninth place with rounds of 341-333 – 674 on Monday.
Also for the Trojans, freshman Tim Castle shot 87-84 – 171, sophomore Bryce Malchow shot 86-86 – 172, freshman Jackson Koebernick shot 86-86 – 172 and freshman Elic Fjetland shot 83-95 – 178.
“It was a wickedly difficult day (Monday),” Frenz said. “I felt the guys fought as hard as they could but they know we left a lot of shots out there.
“It’s really difficult to keep forcused for 36 straight holes under really tough weather conditions and you’re not playing your best.”
The final 18 holes of the tournament is set for Tuesday.
For the Trojans, Anders Palmquist tees off at 9 a.m., Koebernick tees off at 9:10 a.m., Malchow tees off at 9:20 a.m., Castle begins at 9:30 a.m. and Nelles starts at 9:40 a.m.
“This group won’t quit,” Frenz said. “We’re playing for pride (Tuesday) and these guys will get after it.”
Team standings – DMACC 312-315 – 627, Kirkwood 315-313 – 628, Iowa Central 319-319 – 638, Iowa Lakes 328-310 – 638, Southwestern 320-325 – 645, Southeast CC 324-317 – 651, Northeast CC 325-329 – 654, Hawkeye CC 334-326 – 660, NIACC 341-333 – 674, Southeastern 367-361 – 728, Central CC-Columbus 369-365 – 734.
(Photo: Kai Nelles walks during Monday’s district tournament in Panora.)
