Cardinals Finish 9th at National Championship, Pini Named All-American
PLYMOUTH, IN – May 23, 2025 – The Mineral Area College Cardinals wrapped up a memorable run at the 2025 NJCAA Division II Men's Golf Championship with a strong 9th-place finish at Swan Lake Golf Resort in Plymouth, Indiana. The four-day tournament, held from May 20–23, featured top talent from around the nation, with the Cardinals proving they belonged among the best in community college golf.
Entering the championship ranked 25th in the nation, Mineral Area exceeded expectations by finishing tied for 9th overall with a total score of +79 over four rounds. The performance placed them alongside Southeast Community College (NE) and Meridian Community College.
Team Performance Breakdown:
- Round 1: +17
- Round 2: +16
- Round 3: +30
- Round 4: +16
- Final Team Total: +79
- Divisional Points Earned: 26.82
Despite a difficult third round that saw the Cardinals slip slightly in the standings, the team rebounded in the final round to secure a top-ten finish.
Individual Highlights:
- Colin Pini led the way for the Cardinals, finishing the championship at +12. His steady play across all four rounds included a +7 final round 79. Pini's finish was good for 15th overall and also earned him All-American honors.
- Payton Strattman delivered a standout performance in the fourth round with a team-best 71 (-1)—the Cardinals' only under-par round of the tournament.
- Will Dugal contributed a consistent scorecard, posting a 78 (+6) in the fourth round and ending the championship at +26.
- Aidan Steinmetz shot 81 (+9) on the final day, finishing at +25 for the tournament.
- Bradley Loos also saw action for Mineral Area, turning in a 76 (+4) in the final round as a substitute, playing a crucial role in the team's strong finish.