SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The defending national champion Parkland College golf team opened the 2021-21 season on Monday with record-breaking victory at the Heartland Community College Invitational. The one-day tournament, featuring ten teams, was held at the par-72 Panther Creek Country Club.
 
The Cobras fired a combined 16-under par for the first round, which is a new school record for 18 holes. With a 5-under par second round, their 36-hole total of 21-under is also a school record. Parkland finished 13 shots ahead of its nearest competitor, Heartland CC.
 
Individually, Joel Petersson shot an 8-under 136 to land in second place, just two shots out of the lead. Corey Neville (3rd) was three shots behind, as both he and Petersson were under par for each of their rounds. Scott O'Brien (T4th) moved up from a tie for thirteenth and finished at 141, just two behind Neville. Alex White (T4th) also shot a 141 and rounded out the scoring for the Cobras.
 
The Cobras begin the 2021-22 season with a No. 2 ranking in the Bushnell/Golfweek NJCAA DII Coaches Poll.
 
Up next, Parkland travels to Danville, Ill., to play in the Danville Area Community College Fall Invite. The tournament takes place on Monday, September 20, at the Danville Country Club.
 
Team Leaderboard
Player Leaderboard
 
Team Results
1          Parkland College                    -21       272+283=555
2          Heartland CC                          -8         292+276=568
3          Danville Area CC                   +15      293+298=591
T4        Rend Lake College                 +18      292+302=594
T4        Vincennes University             +18      303+291=594
6          Illinois Central College          +26      298+304=602
7          Illinois Valley CC                   +29      298+307=605
8          Mineral Area College             +30      306+300=606
9          Lincoln Trail College             +48      309+315=624
10        Lewis & Clark CC                  +57      307+326=633
 
Parkland Individual Results
2          Joel Petersson                         -8         67+69=136
3          Corey Neville                         -5         70+69=139
T4        Scott O'Brien                          -3         72+69=141
T4        Alex White                             -3         65+76=141
T16      Dain Richie                             +5        70+79=149