HOWEY-IN-THE-HILLS, Fla. -- Hartford Men's Golf take the trip to the sunshine state to partake in the NCAA DIII Championship hosted at Mission Inn Resort and Club , from Tuesday May 12th to Friday May 15th. 

Tournament Headlines:
43 teams, and ten individuals not on one of those teams were selected to participate in the tournament. After the first 36 holes, teams will be cut down to the top 18 teams and six individuals. Methodist University comes in having won, three of the last four NCAA DIII Championships, as they look to three-peat having won in 2025 and 2024, they are currently ranked #4 in the Golf Coaches Association of America's (GCAA) most recent rankings (May 8th.). At the top of the GCAA rankings is Huntingdon College. 

Hartford Headlines:

• The Hawks received their invitation after coming in first place in the Conference of New England (CNE) Championships back in October of 2025.
• This is the first time Hartford will be competing in the National tournament at the DIII level.
• The Hawks come into the tournament with four wins on the year, winning the aforementioned CNE Championship, as well as the NEIGA Men's Championship, Battle at Bull's Bridge, and the Hartford/Wampanoag Spring Invitational. 
• Hartford freshman Zack MacMillan leads the way for the Hawks, after being named to the NCAA Division III Ping All-Region Team. MacMillan currently sits at an average score of 74.8 with one win coming at The Battle at Bull's Bridge, and coming in second place at the CNE Championship.

"We're excited to showcase the work we've been putting in all year. We know we belong here and it's just about staying focused and sticking to the same game that got us here" MacMillan said. 

• Freshman Manolo Vargas (Medellin, Colombia) comes in with one win at the battle at Bull's Bridge, and placing third at the Wampanoag/Hartford Spring Invitational.

"A good quote I really like is golf is not a game of perfect you have to accept errors and play through them I'm excited to participate in the NCAA nationals. I have prepared by training and giving the best of me. My mind set is going into playing hole to hole and do the best I can." Manolo said.

• Freshman Griffin LaLonde (Montclair, N.J.) comes in with three top ten finished, most recently placing fourth in the Hartford/Wampanoag Spring Invitational, as well as placing sixth in the CNE Championship.

"I am definitely excited to be competing for the opportunity for our team to win a national championship. We have had a lot of preparation coming into this week. We saw the resort earlier this spring and have 2 practice round to learn both of the courses before we compete. My mindset going into this week is to stay composed and confident so I can play freely all week long." LaLonde said. 

Head Coach Pete Stankavich, in his 18th season for Hartford said "I'm just excited for these five freshman to experience the NCAA championship for the first time in their first year. We may be the only team here with five freshman, and I'm not sure how often that has happened, but it's pretty rare. They've had an amazing season, especially in the fall, and I don't think I've had a team work harder than this group. They've put in the work and we've played in plenty of tournaments in different conditions. Now, it;s just about managing emotions and having the right mindset and belief about playing to their potential. They've earned this and most of all, I want them to enjoy this experience." 

NCAA Release
 

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