Article from the Jamestown Post Journal (http://www.post-journal.com/sports/local-sports/2017/04/njcaa%E2%80%88golf-nationals-to-remain-at-chautauqua/) by Scott Kindberg.
Jamestown CC Secures Bid Through 2020
Jamestown Community College's Cody Latimer will return to play in the NJCAA Division III Nationals at Chautauqua Golf Club in June. P-J file photo by Scott Kindberg
Two months from now, the NJCAA Division III Golf Championships will return to Chautauqua Golf Club for the 18th consecutive year.
But before a ball is even teed up on the Lake Course, Jamestown Community College has learned that its bid to host the tournament through 2020 was approved by the NJCAA at its national meeting last week in Reno, Nevada.
"They awarded us to host for the next three years — 2018 through 2020," JCC athletic director Keith Martin said earlier this week. "Of course, we're finishing up the last of the three-year bid this year."
The 2017 national championships begin with a practice round on June 5. The tournament runs June 6-9.
"I wanted to share the news," said Martin, who serves as the tournament director. " … We really wanted to put our best foot forward and show the commitment to running it. I'm very pleased they saw this in us."
The latest bid approval — only Grand Junction, Colorado (Division I baseball) and Hutchinson, Kansas (Division I men's basketball) have hosted consecutive NJCAA national tournaments longer — left Martin "excited and relieved."
Greg Fish, who was the tournament director from 2000-2015, feels the same way.
"We have been so fortunate to have such a hard-working and committed team that has been truly focused on making this event so special to qualifiers, coaches, college dignitaries and others," he said. "Being awarded to host a national championship here in Chautauqua County for 21 years in a row is truly historic."
There have been plenty of memorable moments through the years, including JCC's national title in the first year (2000) and its ever-so-close effort in 2012. In 2016, Dante Migliore of Hudson Valley CC needed five playoff holes before his eagle finally defeated Chase Cole of Georgia Northwest Tech for medalist honors.
Martin said the NJCAA Championships also serve as a "jump-start" to the summer.
"It's a win-win for everybody, and it's a feather in the cap of (Greg Fish) of what he started," Martin said.
Added Fish: "Congratulations to Jamestown Community College and Chautauqua Golf Club (for) achieving such lofty levels."