2025 District Preview | Division I Men's Golf
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Iowa Western and Indian Hills are headed back to familiar territory as they prepare to compete in the Central District Championship at Tiffany Greens Golf Course in Kansas City, Missouri. The two-day event will tee off on Monday, April 28, with a grueling 36-hole opening day followed by 18 holes on Tuesday, April 29. Teams will arrive Sunday, April 27, to complete practice rounds ahead of tournament play.
This year's championship features teams from five regions (6, 11, 16, and 24), bringing together some of the top programs in NJCAA Division I golf. Participating teams include: Barton (Kan.), Coffeyville (Kan.), Dodge City (Kan.), Garden City (Kan.), Hutchinson (Kan.), Crowder (Mo.) and John A. Logan (Ill.).
Indian Hills enters the tournament as the defending Central District Champion and will look to build on last year's success after finishing eighth at the 2024 NJCAA National Tournament. Ranked No. 4 nationally, the Warriors are once again positioned as a top contender.
Leading the Warriors is standout golfer Emilio Arellano, currently ranked No. 10 in the nation and the No. 1 player in the region according to Clippd. Arellano has enjoyed a strong season, capturing one individual title and earning two top-three finishes.
Freshman Charlie Preston has also made an immediate impact for Indian Hills. Ranked No. 14 nationally and No. 2 in the region, Preston has secured one tournament win along with a top-three finish during his debut season.
Iowa Western, ranked No. 17 nationally, will be aiming to secure another trip to the National Tournament through a strong showing in Kansas City. The Reivers return to the district stage with a talented lineup headlined by key performers Nick Slobbe and Ethan Main.
Main, ranked No. 17 in the region, has been a steady presence for the Reivers this season, while Slobbe, ranked No. 19 in the region, is coming off his best performance of the year after finishing as runner-up in his most recent tournament.
With both programs ranked inside the top 20 nationally, expectations are high for Indian Hills and Iowa Western to secure their spots in the NJCAA Division I National Tournament.
NJCAA Division I Team Rankings
NJCAA Division I Individual Rankings
Past Team Champions (Last 5):
2024 – Indian Hills
2023 – Dodge City
2022 – Iowa Western
2021 – Hutchinson
2020 – COVID-19
Past Individual Champions (Last 5):
2024 – Jose Carletta – Indian Hills
2023 – Arthit Kruaprayong – Dodge City
2022 – Harry Crockett – Hutchinson
2021 – Harry Crockett – Hutchinson
2020 – COVID-19
Tournament Information:
Tiffany Greens Golf Club
5900 NW Tiffany Springs Pkwy, Kansas City, MO
Map Link
Participating Teams:
Region 6:
Barton (Kan.)
Coffeyville (Kan.)
Dodge City (Kan.)
Garden City (Kan.)
Hutchinson (Kan.)
Region 11:
Indian Hills
Iowa Western
Region 16:
Crowder (Mo.)
Region 24:
John A. Logan (Ill.)