GOODYEAR, Ariz. - The Tyler Junior College men's golf team returned to Palm Valley Golf Club outside Phoenix for the first time since 2004, when the Apaches would have likely won a national title if not for a case of food poisoning.

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From Staff Reports

None of the TJC players got sick this time, and the Apaches won their first national crown since 2003 on Friday with a three-shot victory over three-time defending champion Darton (Ga.) Community College.

The Apaches, who shot a final-round 296, entered Friday with a six-shot lead and never relinquished it. In fact, TJC led from start to finish after opening the NJCAA Division II Tournament with a 275 that included Overton's Blaine Weiterman tying the course record with a 62. Darton finished with a 293 on the day.

"We've always played pretty good out here," said TJC head coach Sandy Terry. "I have no idea (why)."

The national tournament was held in Scottsboro, Ala., the past three years.

TJC sophomore Marc Rice, from England, captured the individual title with a 1-over-par total of 289. Rice shot a final-round 74 to go with a 70-73-72.

Weiterman, a freshman, tied for fifth at 4-over 292 (62-81-76-73). Sophomore Davis Poscente, from Canada, tied for seventh at 293 (69-78-71-75).

All three TJC standouts earned all-tournament and NJCAA All-America.

"I think they were loose," Terry said. "They knew how close Darton was and we were (paired) with Darton. You have the opportunity to talk to them on the course, so you know exactly how you stand all day long. I think at the turn Darton had cut it to one shot."

Also playing for TJC were Cody Blankenship and Cody Bass. Blankenship tied for 41st at 306 (80-77-75-74). Bass tied for 47th at 307 (74-79-78-76).