There was one goal in mind this fall for the Bryant & Stratton College men's golf team. Once the team knew the season would not be cancelled because of COVID-19, the Bobcats were focused on getting in as many competitive rounds in to prepare for the NJCAA Region IV tournament.

The goal was to win the region, which qualifies the team to the national tournament in May. In the previous four seasons of the program, Bobcats Head Men's Golf Coach Andy Runkel has sent at least one individual to nationals, but never the team.

On the second and final day of Region IV tourney at Prairie View Golf Course in Byron, IL, the Bobcats finished with a combined final round of 334 to finish in first place with a 54-hole total of 970 (312, 324, 334) to qualify for the national tourney at Swan Lake Resort in Plymouth, Ind., this spring.

"The ultimate goal has always been to qualify as a team," Runkel said. "We have been close in the past. We peaked at the right time this year. We were second in 3 of the last 4 tournaments we played. I felt like we were in a great position going into the regional championship to capture one of the national qualifier spots."

The top two region teams along with the top six remaining individuals qualify for nationals. The Bobcats edged out second-place Illinois Valley (973) by three strokes. Illinois Valley posted an impressive final round 330 to qualify. Carl Sandburg (983) and Black Hawk (986) rounded out the top four teams. Illinois Valley's Ian Roach (229) won the tournament.

The Bobcats were led by freshman Mason Polivka (Muskego), who finished fourth overall with 237 (75, 78, 84).  

"Mason has played great golf all year," Runkel said. "His consistent play was our teams' anchor all season.  He worked really hard on his game this past summer and the results have shown."

Trey Fullmer (Pocatello, ID) finished seventh overall at 239 (79, 83, 77). Fullmer's 77 on the final day was tied for the low round in windy conditions.

Caden Fletcher (Tampa, FL) finished 12^th overall at 242 (75, 79, 88).

Finishing in the top 15 earned Polivka, Fullmer and Fletcher All-Region honors.  

Team captain Drew Bjorngaard (Red Wing, MN) finished at 253 (84, 84, 85) with a clutch final round to keep Bryant & Stratton atop the leaderboard.

Late in the final round, it became clear first place was a battle between the Bobcats and Illinois Valley. Bjorngaard parred the final three holes with two strong up and down's from difficult lies. Bjorngaard bettered his Illinois Valley counterpart on all three holes which proved to be the difference.

"Drew's leadership has showed on and off the course all season," Runkel said. 

Perhaps the most improved this fall has been Steven Arevalo (La Porte, TX). Arevalo finished with a 269 (83, 94, 92).   

"Steven's confidence is soaring and his first-round score at regionals was part of our 312 total.  He is always working hard on something in his game, and it is just a matter of time before he puts it together." 

The Bobcats will have a long winter layoff before getting back to spring competition to prepare for the national tournament.

Runkel said now it's "time to focus on school and start preparing for May 2021 and the NJCAA National Tournament at Swan Lake Resort."