Freeport, Ill. - The Illinois Central College men's golf team opened the 2026-2027 campaign in impressive fashion, winning the 52nd annual Highland 36 Invitational on Friday. The Cougars took the top spot out of 19 teams during the opening weekend of the NJCAA men's golf season, marking the third consecutive year ICC has won the Invite in Freeport.
After spending the past eight days of intra-squad competition and a practice round on Thursday afternoon at Park Hills West Course, the Cougars were ready for battle. They vaulted to the top of the leaderboard immediately, as returning NJCAA All-American
Connor Watson (SO - East Peoria HS),
Carson Oliver (FR-Mt. Zion HS), and
Wyatt Novotny (FR- Bureau Valley HS) all birdied their 1
st hole of the day for an immediate 3-shot cushion.
ICC's momentum continued as they increased their lead to seven shots before the first of three weather delays interrupted play. After a 45-minute suspension in play, the Cougars found themselves with a seven-shot lead after the first round.
Ominous skies and a discouraging weather radar forecast hinted at a lengthy Round 2. The Cougars continued to play steady, but after just five holes, the weather horn blew again suspending play. Round 2 restarted 30 minutes later, but the forecast deteriorated and completing the 2
nd round seemed unlikely.
Owen Anderson (FR- Rockford Lutheran) was under par and leading the Cougar second round charge, but the forecasted storms developed, and Round 2 was officially canceled, turning The Highland 36 into the Highland
18 and the Round 1 results became official.
QUOTES FROM COACH SEAN KENNEDY
"Focused; returning NJCAA All American
Connor Watson has understood and embraced that he's got to lead this inexperienced squad. And in typical Connor fashion, he accepted that responsibility, and opened with a Tournament Runner-Up finish. Connor is an NJCAA All American player, NJCAA All-Academic Team Member, and I'd say an NJCAA All American teammate. He really focused this preseason helping me prepare this squad to get ready for the opening bell. I'm so happy and relieved Connor is on our lineup card and we don't have to play against him."
"I'm also very encouraged to watch this young squad of five freshmen focus on the task at hand and execute shots under pressure in their first collegiate tournament. Two freshmen earned their 1
st Collegiate Top 5 as
Wyatt Novotny finished 3
rd and
Carson Oliver finished 5th.
Carson Rowe (FR - Henry Senachwine HS) earned his 1
st Collegiate Top 10 placing 7
th in the 106 player field.
Jacob Voss (Fr- Fulton HS) posted a solid Round 1 team score and was playing well before the rainout in Round 2, and Owen rebounded impressively in Round 2. A few exuberant mistakes to tidy up, but this was a very encouraging debut for this class and their potential is exciting."
ICC TEAM RESULTS
Team Score 299 1
st / 19 teams
INDIVIDUAL RESULTS
Connor Watson 73
Wyatt Novotny 74
Carson Oliver 74
Jacob Voss 78
Andrew Kuykendall 81
Carson Rowe 75
Alex Kuykendall 81
Owen Anderson 86
Results link:
https://www.golfgenius.com/pages/12981642142383355054?back_link=true
WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE COUGARS
Monday, August 24 at 1:00 pm
Hawk Invitational
Weibring Golf Course, Normal, IL
