CHAUTAUQUA — The 2024 NJCAA Division III Men’s and Women’s Golf Championships tee off this morning at 9 from Chautauqua Golf Club.

This marks the 25th consecutive year that Jamestown Community College has hosted the event. This year’s tournament features 99 golfers from 25 teams representing 12 states.

The defending men’s national champs, Sandhills CC, brings five golfers to Chautauqua GC this year, including defending individual champion Ben Read, who shot a tournament-record 277 in 2023.

For Read, finishing at the top of the leaderboard is once again the goal.

“We know we have the skill and talent to play well, and if we do there is a good chance that we can be up there again,” he said. “The expectations are to come here and play well and see where we stack up at the end.”

Read’s teammates not only want to join him in the running for the individual title, but hope to keep the Flyers soaring over the field.

“I’m very sure it’ll be tough. It is never easy to play golf here,” Sandhills CC sophomore Watcharakan Chankam said. “I am looking forward to doing my best.”

“We have had some success, and I have been very fortunate to bring in the players I have. We play a lot of golf and are competitive in the fall and spring,” said Sandhills CC head coach Gus Ulrich. “Overall, I think the fact we prepared nicely, we feel confident. We are going to have some tough competition for sure, so we have to play well.”

The home-standing Jayhawks finished fourth a season ago, and while talks of a top-three score are on their mind, staying competitive in a field this rich with talent is the mindset from top to bottom.

“I’m looking forward to seeing the rest of the competition and seeing where I stand,” said Jamestown CC sophomore Maxim Johnson. “Also, I am going in with no expectations. I think that is when you perform at your best.”

“Not many expectations. You have to hope it goes well and not expect much,” added Jayhawks sophomore Brady Fye. “Going out there and competing and seeing how the team does.”

“I am excited to come here and start playing, and compete,” Jamestown CC freshman Spencer Bell said. “I want to put myself in the running to do something good, stay comfortable, take in the environment, and just enjoy it.”