MORAVIA, Iowa – Northeast Community College is heading to the national golf tournament on the strength of a second-place regional finish led by individual champion Ty Heimes.

The No. 10 Hawks finished as runners-up in the two-day North Central District Championship, a result that qualifies them for the 2022 NJCAA Division II Men's Golf Championship.

"They played really tough," Northeast golf coach Wes Bernt said. "Conditions were awful. The conditions that we've played in all year probably helped prepare us to go out and perform the way we did this weekend."

The 54 holes that the tournament was originally scheduled for weren't enough to declare an individual winner as Battle Creek grad Ty Heimes was able to defeat Kirkwood Community College's Kolby Shackleford and Brandon McCarty in a playoff hole to claim the individual crown. Heimes was able to secure first place outright after draining a long birdie putt on what became the final hole of the tournament.

"Extremely proud," Bernt said. "To shoot 68 today in those conditions is pretty special. He's battled all year. He's one of the better players in the area and one of the better players in the state. He probably deserves more recognition than he gets."

The top three teams from the North Central District Championship advance to the 2022 NJCAA Division II Men's Golf Championship, which means the Hawks will be headed to Joplin, Missouri from May 17-20 to compete with the nation's best on a big stage.

"Obviously means a ton," Bernt said. "I didn't think we would get there as quickly as we have."

RESULTS

Ty Heimes (Battle Creek, Neb.): T1 – +3 / Round 1: 74, Round 2: 77, Round 3: 68 (Won tournament in a playoff hole).

Kody Sander (Lincoln, Neb.): T13 – +15 / Round 1: 77, Round 2: 77, Round 3: 77

Santiago Valdes (Mexico City, Mexico): T15 – +17 / Round 1: 76, Round 2: 78, Round 3: 79

Jordan Hart (Omaha, Neb.): T28 – +27 / Round 1: 78, Round 2: 81, Round 3, 84