Moline, Ill. – Severe weather and delays caused the NAIA Men’s National Golf Championship to make the cut a round early. After multiple weather related delays and a tornado warning in the Quad Cities yesterday, the NAIA made the decision to cut the field down after 36 holes instead of 54, to the top 40 individuals and 17 teams a day early.

 

Junior men’s golfer Joey Medora’s season came to an end after the decision was made by the NAIA to push through to make the cut Thursday morning. After an incredible run through the spring season and conference tournament, Medora carded rounds of 84 and 79 during Tuesday and Wednesday’s first two rounds. His 163 total over two days on the TPC Deere Run course landed him in 111th place after the cut.

 

Better news came later Thursday when the Golf Coaches Association of American announced that Medora was named to the 2017 NAIA PING All-Region team for the North Division. This prestigious honor is only given to 60 golfers nationwide by the GCAA and PING. The award is given to the top golfers in each region who have competed at a high level all season.

 

The 6,651 yard course played much tougher for Medora in his first two rounds than it did during the conference tournament. Extreme winds and rain caused the Tuesday afternoon pairings rounds to last over seven hours.

 

Medora’s Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Championship season has come to an end, but the junior from Bishop, California is more than ready to get back to the National Championship next year, but this time with the whole team. The men’s golf team will not lose anyone to graduation and will look to build on this year’s success for a championship season. The future is bright for both men’s and women’s golf programs for the Holy Cross Saints.