MANKATO – A three-putt on the 17th green kept Justin Bennett from being the medalist in the Region XIII men’s golf tournament.

Wednesday, October 03, 2001

MANKATO – A three-putt on the 17th green kept Justin Bennett from being the medalist in the Region XIII men’s golf tournament.

It couldn’t keep him from returning to nationals.

Bennett, an Albert Lea High School graduate competing for Riverland Community College, finished third among 75 individuals in the two-day region tourney that concluded Tuesday at Mankato Country Club. It earned him a second straight trip to National Junior College Athletic Association tournament.

&uot;Justin was a little disappointed after his three-putt on 17 cost him a share of the lead,&uot; said Riverland coach Dave Lillemon. &uot;Yet he has a lot to be proud of.&uot;

As does Lillemon. It’s the fifth year in a row the Blue Devils have qualified an individual for nationals, though Bennett is the first to do it twice.

Bennett finished with 151 strokes for 36 holes.

The Blue Devils’ Jeff Cole missed nationals by one place, finishing 11th at 159. Other RCC places and scores: Pat King, 44th, 169; Jared More, 45th, 170; Cole Berhow, 171st, 46th.

The Blue Devils, three shots off the lead after 18 holes, finished in fifth place at 642. Central Lakes won with 623.

The regional scores also counted for the Minnesota Community College State tournament, in which Bennett took second for the second year in a row. The Blue Devils were fourth among 12 teams.

Laura Retterath, RCC’s lone entrant in the women’s division, shot 91 Tuesday for a two-day total of 194, good for eighth place among 18 golfers.

Overall, Lillemon said it was a successful two days for RCC.

&uot;To have a shot at going to the national tournament as a team, it’s great to be there,&uot; said the coach. &uot;Unfortunately, we had an off day (Tuesday) and struggled a little bit with the wind. But overall it was a good tournament. It’s been a great year for us. I’m very proud of our kids.&uot;

Bennett will compete in the national tournament in June 2002 at Chatauqua, N.Y. He was 22nd in last year’s national tourney.