The sound of Park Hills PGA Professional and Highland Alumni Jeff Hartman's shotgun blast will echo across the fairways on Friday, August 22, officially launching the college golf season for NCAA, NAIA, and NJCAA programs. For more than five decades, the Highland 36 has marked the first official collegiate golf event of the year, and it all begins right here in Freeport, Illinois.

Held on the West Course at Park Hills Golf Course — the proud home of Highland Golf — this year's edition is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in tournament history.

"This is the best field the tournament has probably ever seen," said Highland Head Coach Javier Jazo. "To host such a competitive group year after year shows the respect this event has across college golf. We know the challenge in front of us, but we also believe this group can rise to it."

The 2025 field features 117 golfers representing 16 institutions from three states, including several nationally ranked programs. Illinois Central College, the 2024 NJCAA Division II National Runner-Up, will be among the contenders, as well as Black Hawk College, Southwestern Iowa, and Hawkeye Community College, all Top 25 teams a year ago. College of DuPage, last year's NJCAA Division III third-place national finisher, also returns. But Highland is not just playing host — the Cougars have their sights firmly set on competing for the championship. With key returners and an energized lineup, Highland enters the event with momentum and the talent to challenge the nation's best.

The Cougars return all nine freshmen from last year's roster while adding four newcomers, three of which who have already broken into the starting lineup. The team's Highland 36 lineup will be:

1. Luis Duffy

2. AJ Anderson

3. Brock Brown

4. Jake Maloret

5. Francisco Roubineau

6. Roman Johnson

7. Brady Read

8. Parma Walker

9. Aaron Doherty

10. Jared Dvorak

11. Sebastian Pantich

12. Mauricio Jaramillo

13. Zach Newcomer

The first tee shot of the season is about to fly — and as always, it starts with the Highland Cougars.

Follow live results from the 52nd Highland 36 [here].