FREEPORT, Ill. — The Highland Community College men's golf team opened its 2026 fall season with a third-place finish at the Highland 36 on Friday at Park Hills Golf Course in Freeport.
Originally scheduled as a 36-hole event, persistent weather played a major factor throughout the day. After three separate weather delays, the tournament was ultimately shortened to an 18-hole event despite players completing approximately 30 holes of competition.
The Cougars posted a team score of 309 in the official opening round, finishing in a tie for third in a field that featured 106 golfers.
Sophomore team captain AJ Anderson led the way for Highland, firing a 1-under-par 71 to capture individual medalist honors. Anderson's performance put him atop the 106-player field and provided a strong start to his sophomore campaign.
Highland also received rounds of 78 from Griffin Blanch, 79 from Austin Dobbe, 79 from Brock Brown, 79 from Jake Maloret, 80 from Jonathan Huenink, 83 from Kaden Brown, and 87 from Jack Maharaj.
While the Cougars weren't satisfied with their opening-round performance, Head Coach Javier Jazo was encouraged by what he saw from his team before weather ultimately ended the tournament.
"We didn't perform our best in the first round, but I was extremely pleased with how we responded in the second round," Jazo said. "We were making a tremendous improvement and gaining significant ground on the leaders. Unfortunately, the weather didn't allow us the opportunity to finish it out, but I thought the way our guys responded after the first 18 showed a lot about this group."
With roughly 12 holes of the second round completed, Highland had begun climbing the leaderboard before the final weather delay forced the cancellation of the remainder of the round. Under tournament procedures, scores reverted to the completed 18-hole results.
The third-place finish gives Highland an early result to build on, while Anderson begins the season with a tournament victory against one of the largest fields the Cougars will see during the fall.
Highland 36 — Highland Results
Team: 309 — T-3rd
