Owens soph earns spot in national golf championship

5/19/2009

Owens Community College sophomore Jimmy Bell is taking part in the NJCAA Division II national golf championships through May 22.

The 2007 Rossford High School graduate advanced to the tournament after shooting a 228 (78-77-73) and finishing ninth at the NJCAA Region XII championships. The Owens six-member team finished sixth at the regional, which was held at Bedford Valley Golf Club in Battle Creek, Mich., after rounds of 316-316-309 (941).

Bell takes a 75.9 season scoring average into the national championships, which will be held at Goose Pond Colony Golf Course in Scottsboro, Ala. The four-day, 72-hole NJCAA tournament will consist of four rounds beginning at 7 a.m. each day.

Tee times for the no-cut event will be set prior to the tournament in accordance with NJCAA rules. Over 140 individuals will compete for the individual national title.

I am extremely proud of Jimmy Bell and his efforts on the golf course, Owens men s golf coach Gilbert Guerrero said. Jimmy has worked very hard and has served as a team leader from day one of the season. He has earned the right to compete for a national championship title and will represent Owens Community College and the golf program well at the NJCAA tournament.

Bell s postseason honors include selection as the Ohio Community College Athletic Conference player of the year and top medalist with a 75.7 scoring average.

He also was named to the NJCAA All-Region XII Team.

The Express golf team captured five match and invitational titles during the recently completed season, highlighted by its third consecutive first-place finish in the OCCAC championship invitational.

The program also captured its fourth NJCAA Region XII subregional championship after rounds of 317-314 (631) at Belmont Country Club in Perrysburg.