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Vincennes University

Kelsey Caps Freshman Year with All-American Finish at Nationals

Kelsey Caps Freshman Year with All-American Finish at Nationals
Results
May 22, 2026

PLYMOUTH, Ind. — Vincennes University freshman golfer Kollin Kelsey wrapped up an impressive freshman campaign last week by competing as an individual at the NJCAA Division II Men's Golf National Championship, held May 19-22 at Swan Lake Resort.

Kelsey finished the four-round national tournament tied for 21st overall in the 148-player field at 9-over-par for the week after rounds of 69, 74, 78 and 76.

NJCAA Hall of Fame Head Coach Dennis Chattin, in his 22nd season leading the Trailblazers, said Kelsey's week began exactly the way the program hoped. "Kollin had a great tournament," Chattin said. "He started well by chipping in for birdie on the first hole, which I think took some of the nerves off and really set the tone for the tournament."

Kelsey opened the event with his best round of the week Tuesday, carding a 3-under-par 69. The freshman recorded five birdies during the round, including three on the back nine, while finishing with just two bogeys. The opening-round performance tied Kelsey's lowest tournament score of the season and immediately vaulted him into contention against some of the top golfers in the country.

Kelsey continued that momentum early in round two Wednesday, again beginning the day aggressively. After birdieing hole No. 4 and eagling the par-5 fifth hole, Kelsey briefly moved to 6-under-par overall for the tournament. However, a difficult stretch on holes No. 6 and 7 shifted the momentum of the round, as Kelsey carded a 9 on the par-4 sixth before following with a bogey on the next hole.

"He ballooned two tee shots in a row to the right out of bounds on the tightest driving hole on the course," Chattin said. "Understandably, he lost some composure for a bit, but he was able to regain it and battle back."

Despite the setback, Kelsey settled back into the round with steady play, stringing together four consecutive pars while playing the back nine at 1-under-par to finish with a 2-over 74.

Round three Thursday proved to be Kelsey's toughest day of the championship. After opening with a birdie on hole No. 1, Kelsey ran into a difficult middle stretch that included five bogeys over a six-hole span.  "The third round, his putter was just balky and he couldn't get anything to drop," Chattin said. "But again, he kept battling and came back with two-over on the back nine."

Kelsey closed the round with a 6-over 78 but remained within striking distance of All-American consideration entering the final day.

Knowing a strong closing round was needed Friday, Kelsey again relied on consistency and composure throughout much of the day. "He played really steady golf and was just making pars, which is what we talked about," Chattin said. "He didn't need anything fancy, just steady golf."

Kelsey stayed composed through most of the round before running into trouble on hole No. 14, where a tee shot was pushed out of bounds after catching the wind. Despite the difficult hole, the freshman responded immediately with a birdie on hole No. 15 and closed his tournament with steady play down the stretch. "Again, he bounced back with a birdie which got him back mentally," Chattin added. "He finished strong with two solid pars and earned Third Team All-American honors. He came a long way this season and capped it off really well."

Kelsey's national championship appearance officially concludes the 2026 season for the Trailblazer men's golf program, which finished the year ranked No. 28 nationally.

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