Dufrenoy Fires 69 as Broncbusters Finish Strong at NJCAA Nationals
NEWTON, Kan. — Garden City Community College closed out the NJCAA Division I Men's Golf National Championship on Friday with its best round of the tournament, shooting a final-round 7-over team score to finish 13th overall at Sand Creek Station Golf Course.
Playing in warm conditions with temperatures climbing into the upper 80s, the Broncbusters showed resilience throughout the final 18 holes, led by Ilan Dufrenoy, who fired a 3-under 69 to finish tied for 18th individually at 12-over for the championship.
Dufrenoy turned in one of the strongest rounds of the day in the field, carding five birdies during his final round. He opened aggressively with a birdie on the par-4 first after attacking the pin with a controlled wedge approach. Later on the front nine, he stuck a mid-iron close on the par-4 ninth and converted another birdie chance to make the turn at 1-under.
His best stretch came early on the back nine. On the par-5 10th, Dufrenoy hit a towering fairway wood into scoring position before knocking a short wedge onto the green to set up birdie. One hole later, he rolled in another birdie putt on No. 11 after a crisp short-iron approach.
Dufrenoy added another birdie on the par-3 13th after attacking the flag with a high-flight 8-iron, then closed his round with steady pars over the final five holes.
Carson French also finished strong, shooting a 3-over 75 to place tied for 36th overall at 16-over. French produced one of the biggest highlights of the day for Garden City with an eagle on the par-3 third hole, holing out after striking a perfectly flighted short iron directly at the flagstick.
French followed with another birdie on the par-3 sixth, where he used a controlled wedge to leave himself inside makeable range. He played the front nine at even par before battling through a tougher closing stretch on the back.
Miguel Silveira finished tied for 46th overall at 19-over after closing the tournament with an even-par 72. Silveira was steady throughout the day, recording birdies on Nos. 3 and 15 while limiting mistakes across the round.
On the par-3 third, Silveira attacked with a smooth 7-iron that settled close to the hole for birdie. Later on No. 15, he positioned himself with a long iron off the tee before sticking a wedge onto the green to set up another birdie chance.
Oliver Crowley carded a 7-over 79 to finish tied for 68th, while Miles Dickinson finished tied for 100th overall after posting a 7-over final round.
As a team, Garden City improved each day after a difficult third round and closed the championship at 74-over overall.
At the top of the leaderboard, McLennan CC captured the national championship at 20-over, finishing one shot ahead of Indian Hills CC. Odessa (TX) placed third at 28-over, while Hutchinson CC finished fourth and Weatherford rounded out the top five.
Individually, Abe Bignell of McLennan earned medalist honors at 6-under for the tournament.
Key moment
French's eagle on the par-3 third and Dufrenoy's birdie run on the back nine helped spark Garden City's best team round of the week.
Key stat
Garden City shot 7-over in the final round after posting 29-over during Round 3, while Dufrenoy's 69 was one of the lowest rounds in the field Friday.