Springfield, MO – For the 14th time in program history, the No. 1 nationally ranked Indian Hills Men's Golf team captured the National Junior College Athletic Association District Championship, taking home the 2026 NJCAA DI Men's Golf Central District title in convincing fashion.
The Warriors ran away with the title with a 23-under, 841, finishing 28 strokes ahead of runner-up Hutchinson Community College (KS). The Warriors were the lone team in the nine-team event to finish below par after firing round scores of 279-284-278-841 (-23). As a team, Indian Hills claimed five of the top seven individuals in the event.
In addition to the team title, sophomore Charlie Preston (Hampshire, United Kingdom/The Sixth Form College Farnborough) captured the individual District championship with one of the most dominant individual performances in program history. Preston fired a 13-under, 203, tied for the third-lowest 54-hole total in program history.
The Warriors' 28-stroke advantage in the NJCAA Central District Championship is the largest margin of victory in the event since the Warriors won the 2012 title by 41 strokes over Dodge City Community College (KS). The team's 841 total is also the lowest score at the District tournament since the 2018 team fired a remarkable 825 and serves as the second-lowest District tournament score in school history.
Preston ran away from the field with an impressive showing at Rivercut Golf Course. The sophomore fired round scores of 68-66-69-203 (-13) to win the event by four strokes. Preston becomes the ninth individual District champion for the Warriors dating back to the 2009 season.
Preston used an strong showing on Par 3 and Par 5 holes, combining to go 10 under for the Warriors. The sophomore led the 60-player field with 18 birdies.
Along with Preston's dominant showing, the Warriors' efforts were aided by freshman Harry McArdle (Burren, Ireland/St. Colman's College) who placed second overall with a 9-under, 207. McArdle fired round scores of 67-71-69-207 (-9) for his fourth top-10 individual finih of the year. McArdle tallied 15 birdies on the week, second-most behind Preston.
Miles Bollinger (Eagan, MN/Cretin-Derham Hall) produced a third-place showing for the Warriors with a 4-under, 212 after climbing the leaderboard on the final day of competition. After back-to-back even par rounds to open the week, Bollinger carded a 4-under, 68 on the final day for his fourth top-five finish of the year. Bollinger's 14 birdies were third-most on the week.
Freshman Nathan White (Canberra, Australia/Lake Ginnindarra Secondary College) and sophomore Freddie Surgey (Weybridge, England/Cobham Free School) tied for fifth overall with a 2-over, 218. Surgey climbed eight spots on the final day with a 3-under, 69 on the final day of action.
With the title in hand, the Warriors automatically qualify for the upcoming NJCAA DI Men's Golf National Championship May 12-15 at Sand Creek Station Golf Course in Newton, KS.
PREVIOUS INDIAN HILLS INDIVIDUAL DISTRICT CHAMPIONS
- 2026 - Charlie Preston
- 2024 - Jose Carletta
- 2018 - Julien Sale
- 2017 - Ricky Sanders
- 2016 - Jackson Bugdalski
- 2014 - Colin Pearson / George Trujillo
- 2012 - Ben Ludlam
- 2011 - Steven Ihm
PREVIOUS INDIAN HILLS TEAM DISTRICT CHAMPIONS
- 2026 (-23, 841)
- 2024 (E, 864)
- 2019 (-6, 570)
- 2018 (-39, 825)
- 2017 (+14 880)
- 2016 (E, 864)
- 2015 (+46, 910)
- 2014 (+38, 902)
- 2013 (+46, 910)
- 2012 (-1, 863)
- 2011 (+57, 921)
- 2010 (+6, 582)
- 2005
- 2004
Support the Indian Hills Men's Golf team as they prepare for the upcoming NJCAA National Championship in Newton, KS: INDIAN HILLS MEN'S GOLF FUNDRAISER
Looking for Indian Hills Athletics information straight to your inbox? Subscribe to our newsletter and mobile alerts to receive news, scores, highlights, and more in real-time: INDIAN HILLS ATHLETICS NEWSLETTER