The Erie Community College men’s golf team is headed to the NJCAA Division III National Tournament for the just the second time in school history after a second place finish at the Region III Tournament May 17-18.

The team, which has been in existence since 1948, shot 659 to finish second to defending NJCAA national champion Monroe Community College who shot 642 over the 36-hole tournament held at the Robert Trent Jones Course at Cornell University.

The Kats shot 317 on day one to trail Monroe by just two shots, led by freshman Kyle Harman (Orchard Park/Orchard Park) who fired a day-one low of 74.  Sophomore Ryan Winkowski (Lancaster/Lancaster) was tied for second with a 78.

On day two of the tournament, the rains arrived and continued throughout the entire round.  Erie held tough throughout and finished with a 342 under miserable conditions.  They finished 12 shots ahead of third place Jefferson Community College who finished with 671.

Harman outlasted Matt DeJohn of Monroe and Dustin Farley of Mohawk Valley to become the first Erie player ever to win the individual title, finishing with 157.  His second round total of 83 included a clutch birdie on the 15^th hole to propel him to the title.

DeJohn and Farley finished at 159.

Ryan Winkowski finished in ninth place overall with 163.  His second round 85 included back-to-back birdies on the sixth and seventh holes.      His first-round 78 was highlighted by two birdies and a near double eagle on the 13^th hole where he had a tap-in eagle.

Harman and Winkowski also made the All-Region team with their finishes.

Other Kats finishers were Brian Whitbeck (Penfield/Penfield) at 170, Blake Ihrig (Fredonia/Fredonia) at 171, and Mike Krywcum (Buffalo/St. Joes) at 175.

The team will join the 2005 squad as the only teams in the program’s 62-year history to qualify for the National Tournament.

The Kats are led by second-year coach Don Lockwood.

Unfortunately as it stands, this will be the final tournament for E.C.C. Golf.  The team is having the program cut from the school.  Read about that controversy by clicking here.