MORAVIA, Iowa - The Kirkwood Eagles took a 16-shot lead after Day 1 and expanded it to 25 by the end of Day 2 to take home the 2022 North Central District Championship.
The Eagles (+31), who have now won their seventh consecutive NJCAA qualifying tournament and their 16th in 18 years, were led by Kolby Shackelford and Brandon McCarty who each finished the tournament 3-over par. The two finished tied for the lead with Northeast's Ty Heimes after 54 holes – leading to a three-way playoff.
The three headed out to the par-5 first hole which was quickly settled. Heimes sank a 30-plus foot birdie putt, while Shackelford and McCarty made par.
Heimes became the first non-Kirkwood player to win the national qualifier since (at least) 2010. He shot a final round 68 (-4), a tournament low. Heimes' Hawks finished in second place with a team total of +56 to book a trip to Joplin, Mo. and the 2022 NJCAA National Championships.
Rounding out the 2022 North Central District team qualifiers was Hawkeye – who was led by Tom Bell (+9) who tied for fourth place. Luke Galeazzi was one stroke behind Bell at 10-over par.
Four other individuals placed their way into the NJCAA Championship field – Tyler Sansgaard of DMACC, Liam Ross and Justin Shipper of Iowa Central and Geronimo Narizzano of Southeast (Neb.).
Ross, Shipper and Narizzano came out of a four-way sudden death playoff with Iowa Lakes Sam Miller coming up just short.
The 2022 NJCAA Championships are set to be played at Twin Hills Country Club in Joplin, Mo. on May 17-20.