Senators dominate all three rounds to win NJCAA DII Southeast District Tournament by 62 shots
MORRISTOWN, TN – Walters State dominated the NJCAA DII Southeast District Tournament from start to finish, and the Senators took home the title on Tuesday and punched their ticket to the NJCAA DII Championship.
In Tuesday's final round, Walters State shot its second straight one-under round to finish the three-round tournament at 14-over. The Senators defeated second-place Roane State by 62 shots.
It's Walters State's sixth Southeast District Championship in program history and second straight. The Senators' appearance in the NJCAA DII Championship will be its 29th in program history.
Along with the team title, Blake Dawson took home medalist honors with a three-round score of one-under. In Tuesday's final round, Dawson shot an impressive three-under, 69. Dawson birdied the first hole of the day, eagled hole three, birdied the sixth hole, birdied the 11th hole and capped things off with a birdie on the 15th hole, a 605-yard par-5.
Finishing in second place in the tournament was Greyson Smith at even-par. Smith shot two-under in Tuesday's final round. Smith started his round off hot with an eagle on hole one. Smith then birdied the 11th hole and then rolled in a long putt for eagle on the 15th hole.
In third place was Maddox Butler at one-over for the tournament. Butler shot two-under in his final round, parring 14 holes and birdieing holes five, 14 and 16.
Rounding out the team were Ayden Smith in sixth place and Alex Gaetz in ninth place. Smith shot 16-over for the tournament and eight-over in round three, while Gaetz shot 18-over for the tournament and six-over in the third round. Smith and Gaetz both birdied the opening hole, while Smith also birdied hole three and Gaetz birdied holes seven and 15.
All five Walters State golfers earned All-Tournament honors.
Up Next:
Walters State returns to action on May 19-22 at Swan Lake Resort in Plymouth, IN for the 2026 NJCAA DII Men's Golf Championship.
