NMJC Wins in Odessa, Ends Fall Season No. 1 in Nation

The New Mexico Junior College golf team defeated seven NJCAA teams in the Odessa Invitational en route to their second win of the fall season on Friday, Nov. 4. The Thunderbirds shot a three-round team total score of 889 (+25) with rounds of 295 (+7), 296 (+8), and 298 (+10).

The T-Birds defeated six top 25 NJCAA squads at the par-72 Odessa Country Club on their way to a 23-shot victory over runner-up Ranger College. NMJC shot the low round of the day in rounds one and three.

"We grinded out both days breaking 300 each round, which considering the windy conditions that's very competitive," head coach Jay Rees said. "We were able to separate ourselves by 23 shots from Ranger and then beyond all of the other teams, including a few ranked in the Top 10 in the nation."

Sophomore Matthis Lefèvre won the tournament shooting a three-round score of 209 (-7) with rounds of 73, 69, and 67. Lefèvre's rounds of 69 and 67 were two of the five rounds under par for the entire tournament.

Friday's final round was played in blustery conditions with wind gusts reaching up to 40 mph. Lefèvre's 5-under 67 was seven shots better than his nearest competitor on the final day.

"It was probably the best I've seen Matthis play to lead us to this win," Rees said. "A weather front came in and it blew almost 50 mph. He shot an amazing 67, separating himself from the field and winning by 10 shots, which is a great accomplishment."

The tournament format was six count four meaning six golfers could play toward the team score with the four best scores each round counting to the team total. The six golfers contributing to the team score were Matthis Lefèvre, Mads Røddik, Tim Chan, Will Green, Matt Walters, and Travis Robbie.

Sophomore Mads Røddik finished in solo sixth for the tournament with rounds of 72, 75, and 78 for a three-round total of 225 (+9). His first-round 72 was the low round of the morning on Thursday.

Sophomore Tim Chan finished tied for 13th with rounds of 74, 78, and 79 for a three-round total of 231 (+15). Freshman Will Green tied for 13th shooting rounds of 83, 74, and 74 for a three-round total of 231 (+15).

Freshman Matt Walters came in 23rd place with rounds of 78, 78, and 79 for a three-round total of 235 (+19). Freshman Travis Robbie came in 32nd place with rounds of 76, 82, and 81 for a three-round total of 239 (+23).

Freshman Jono Boediman was the top individual for the T-Birds not on the team score. Boediman finished in eighth place shooting three consecutive rounds of 76 for a three-round total of 228 (+12).  

"We still are trying to firm up our consistency in the bottom of the lineup, but I thought Matthis, Mads, Tim, and Will were kind of our backbone this fall," Rees said. "Then we are still trying to figure out our lineup beyond the top four with Jono, Travis, Carson, Matt, and the remainder of the lineup. We definitely have some things to work on in the offseason, but there were a lot of positives and I'm very proud of how the fall went for us."

The Thunderbirds finished the fall golf season ranked No. 1 in all three major golf polls. NMJC will head into the 2023 spring season atop the rankings in the Golfstat Poll, NJCAA Poll, and Bushnell/Golfweek Coaches Poll.

"We are ranked No. 1 in all polls, it's been 10-12 years since we've been in this position," Rees said. "I am very excited where we're headed. I feel like we're going to get even better come January. Overall, this fall season has had plenty of positives."

The Thunderbird golf team will open up the spring season Jan. 30 in Melbourne, Fla. at the Titan Winter Invitational.

Odessa Invitational Top Results

New Mexico Junior College + 25 (295-296-298 = 889)

Ranger College +48 (306-295-311 = 912)

McClennan CC +49 (305-298-310 = 913)

Western Texas CC + 53 (307-296-314 = 917)

Midland College +55 (311-296-312 = 919)

Odessa CC +59 (310-299-314 = 923)