NEWTON— It was a great way for Landon Fox to close out his Barton Community College career - a birdie on his final hole.

That birdie put the lid on a final round 77 at the NJCAA National Golf Meet and on his great 2-year career with Cougars.

The 5-over par score through an early rain delay was his second lowest of the week giving him a 4-day total of 311.

That put the Winfield sophomore in 61st overall. Last season Fox placed 54th.

“Landon had a great two years at Barton,” coach Doug Kaiser said. “He played baseball in high school and was deciding to play baseball or golf in college. I am definitely glad he chose golf. He has been a very good player for us and the only one to play in two national tournaments.”

Starting on the back nine Fox got three holes of even par golf in before the rain and lightning came through the Sand Creek Station Golf Course.

When play resumed Fox, following a par, bogeyed 14 and 15 then recorded a birdie on 16. He bogeyed 17 and ended his first nine holes at 2-over 38.

Heading to the front nine Fox birdied on hole 1 but followed with a double bogey on hole 2. After three straight pars Fox bogeyed holes 6, 7 and 8.

On the final hole of his Barton career Fox carded a 3 on the 373 yard par 4.

Indian Hills (Iowa) won its second straight national title edging out Eastern Florida State and McLennan (Texas) for the title.

Indian Hills closed with a 301 and a final total of 10-over 1162. McLennan came on strong the final day shooting a 295 but came up three strokes short and tied for second with Eastern Florida State at 1165.

Dodge City fell a spot to seventh on the final day as did Hutchinson falling to ninth.

Vetle Maroy held on for the individual title despite a 1-over 73 in the final day. Maroy, from Odessa (Texas), ended with a 7-under 281. That was two strokes better than a pair of Eastern Florida State golfers.


FINAL RESULTS

Top 10 Individuals – Par 72 (288)
1 Vetle Maroy (Odessa), 71-71-66-73—281
2 Kerry Sweeney (Eastern Fla St), 71-74-67-71—283
2 Michael DeMorat (Eastern Fla St), 72-67-70-74—283
4 David Wicks (Midland), 73-71-69-73—286
4 Cory Donnell (McLennan), 71-70-70-75—286
6 Jakob  Garstecki (Indian Hills), 73-72-68-74—287
6 Ryan Gaske (Eastern Arizona), 72-75-68-73—287
6 Marty Sanchez (New Mexico JC), 72-73-69-73—287
9 Elliott Fullalove (Western Texas), 73-73-75-68—289
10 Sylas Elliott (Wallace St), 72-79-69-72—291
10 George Trujillo (Indian Hills), 73-71-71-76—291

Barton scores
61 Landon Fox, 79-80-75-77—311

Team Scores – (Top 10)
1 Indian Hills (Iowa), 289-292-280-301—1162
2 Eastern Florida State, 290-294-279-302—1165
2 McLennan (Texas), 293-297-280-295—1165
4 Odessa (Texas), 296-291-290-294—1171
5 Wallace State (Ala), 289-308-285-301—1183
6 Western Texas, 295-295-302-299—1191
7 Dodge City, 296-298-293-308—1195
8 New Mexico JC, 298-305-298-297—1198
9 Hutchinson, 292-310-296-306—1205
10 Faulkner State (Ala), 300-312-289-305—1206