TIGERS BRING HOME DIV. III STATE / REGION XXIII CHAMPIONSHIP; WILLIAMS NAMED ALL-STATE

April 18, 2007

 WESSON, Miss.--  Northeast Mississippi Community College's golf team secured the 2007 MACJC (Mississippi Association of Community/Junior Colleges) Division III State/Region XXIII championship by posting a team score of 316 on day two of the State/Region tournament at Wolf Hollow Golf Club in Wesson, Miss. Its the first team golf championship for NEMCC.

Coach Craig Lauderdale's Tigers will advance to the NJCAA Division III National Tournament in Chautaugua, N.Y. on June 4-8, 2007.

"I'm just really proud of the kids," Lauderdale said. "They got better and better throughout the year. They were consistent at each event regardless of tough weather at times. I can't describe how much it means for us to be state champs, and get the opportunity to take the entire team to the national tournament. It's the opportunity of a lifetime for all of us."

Northeast's day-two score was one shot better than their day-one total of 317, which gave the Tigers a  combined score of 633 for the tournament. Jones County Junior College finished second in Division III competition with a team score of 692.

Chase Williams (Alcorn Central) led the way for the Tigers, shooting scores of 78 and 74, which earned the Medalist honors for the sophomore from Alcorn Central. Williams was voted a MACJC 2nd Team All-State performer among players in all divisions.

Joining Williams at the State/Region Tournament were Northeast golfers Curt Butler (76, 82), Jared Harding (81, 81), Jared Hight (82, 79), and Derek Devaughn (86, 82).

In the overall competition NEMCC finished fourth behind Meridian Community College (593), Hinds Community College (603), and Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (610).

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