NIACC's Boerjan returns to nationals
PLYMOUTH, Ind. - For the second straight season, NIACC's Ben Boerjan will be playing in the national golf tournament.
Boerjan, who prepped at St. Ansgar, will compete in the NJCAA Division II national tournament Tuesday through Friday at Swan Lake Resort. Boerjan's first round Tuesday begins at 6:54 a.m. (CDT).
"I'm really excited for Ben to have this opportunity to play in the national championship," NIACC coach Chris Frenz said. "His game has continued to improve ever since last year's national tournament.
"His confidence level is at an all-time high and with the amount of work he's put into his game this spring, I know he's expecting to play well this week."
Boerjan earned a trip as an individual by placing second at the NJCAA Region XI tournament at the Veenker Memorial Golf Course on the Iowa State University campus.
Boerjan shot a 71-77 -148 and placed one shot behind Kirkwood's Jame Morgan, who shot 71-76 148. The 148 is the lowest two-round total at a men's regional tournament in the Chris Frenz era, which began in 2007.
The previous low total at a regional total by a Frenz coached team was 151 by Jacob Urdahl in 2013 and Boerjan and josh Schaefer at the 2018 regional tournament.
Boerjan tied for 43rd place at last year's national tournament in Foley, Ala. he shot 75-77-78-72 - 302.
In 2014, NIACC's Levi Fink claimed the NJCAA Division II individual national title at Swan Lake Resort. He became the school's first national golf champion with a 77-68-72-70 - 287.
Frenz said Boerjan is ready to go.
"Ben has a strong mental game, too, which will serve him well over four days of championship golf," the coach said.
Frenz said he thinks the Swan Lake Course sets up well for Boerjan.
"I love the layout of this course for Ben," Frenz said. "He hits it straight and long off the tee, but he can also shape a shot when he needs to.
"His short game is in top shape so if he needs to scramble he can. The course is on similar grass that we're used to playing on so there won't be a big adjustment there."
