Division II Golfers Play Their Way to All-Region Recognition

Niall Powell of Kirkwood Community College was voted the 2018 Division II Men's Golf Player of the Year this week. The sophomore won two regular-season tournaments this season including the Region XI Fall Preview and the Southeastern Invite.

The 2017 Region XI Tournament champion finished in the top five eight times this season; 12 times he finished in the top 10 in 14 tournaments. 

There are 15 All-Region honorees each season, determined by each player's regional tournament finish. This year, Kirkwood had two golfers finish in the top 5 to qualify for First-Team. Regional Champion Dawson Peters posted a 147 to win the Region XI individual crown by one stroke over Southwestern's Oliver Pearson. Peters shot a 73 on the final day to Pearson's 74. 

Fellow Eagle Max Thrune finished third after shooting a 149.

DMACC's Alec Fuhs, a 2017 Second-Team All-Region performer, finished fourth and won the tie-breaker over Southwestern's Reinhardt Saunderson, as both shot a 150. Fuhs shot a final round 76 to Saunderson's 80. Both earned First-Team recognition.

Pearson, the Region XI runner-up, held a 78.12 scoring average in tournaments during his freshman campaign, including just one round over 77 during the spring. He was runner-up at the Graceland Invitation in the fall.

Darin Pint was voted Coach of the Year by the rest of the coaches. Kirkwood won their fourth straight regional title and sixth in the last seven seasons.

* Region XI Champion

^ Voted Golfer of the Year based on regular season performances

Player of the Year: Niall Powell, Kirkwood

Region XI Champion: Dawson Peters, Kirkwood

Coach of the Year: Darin Pint, Kirkwood