Jeff Clark knew that just because he was an alternate did not mean he didn't belong. After four days and 72 holes of championship golf, the Riverland freshman proved why.

Clark, an Austin High School graduate, shot a combined score of 17-over par to take sixth place overall and earn All-American honors at the National Junior College Division III National Golf Championships Tuesday through Friday at the Chautauqua Golf Club in Chautauqua, N.Y.

Clark missed qualifying for nationals by one stroke, finishing 11th in the Region XIII Tournament during the fall. But an ineligible golfer that finished in front of him was excluded from the advancing field, and Clark moved in as an alternate.

It was an opportunity for Clark to prove himself, and one he took full advantage of.

"I knew that I was good enough to go there, but I just screwed that up at regionals," Clark said Saturday afternoon. "I was kind of frustrated when I found out I got 11th (at regionals), but I wasn't playing good the whole weekend, especially the last couple holes.

"If I really would have stayed focused those last couple holes I guess I could have made it."

Instead Clark waited for the word to come that he would gain the spot at nationals lost by another.

"He wasn't supposed to be there, but he got a second chance and he played his heart out this spring to get better," said Riverland coach David Lillemon. "I'm very excited for Jeff, I'm very proud of him."

Clark's sixth-place finish is the highest ever by a Riverland golfer.

"Actually I finished a little higher than I thought I would," Clark said after shooting a 5-over 77 during Friday's final round. "I went in there with high expectations."

Clark rolled a 10-foot birdie putt past the cup on the 18th green and missed the comebacker, making a two-stroke swing that prevented him from moving into fifth.

"I had that putt for 75 and I really wanted to shoot 75," Clark said. "I went real aggressive after it and ran it by about six feet. The comebacker was uphill and I left it just short, but it was on-line."

After ending the first day of the tournament tied for 10th, Clark stayed in sixth place through the final three rounds. He shot 77-75-76-77--305 and finished 12 shots off the leader's pace. Joe Kunz of Monroe Community College carded a 5-over 75-73-73-72--293 to win the national title.

"I could really look back at the whole tournament and think of some shots I missed, but I guess I can't say too much," Clark said. "It was fun experience, and playing well too, that helped out a lot."

Bennett steps it up

Riverland sophomore Justin Bennett moved up his national ranking, tying two others for 19th overall in his second consecutive trip to New York. Bennett tied for 24th as a freshman and despite shooting five strokes poorer improved five places in the final standings.

"He'll tell you that his putter wasn't good all week long, and even from close range," Coach Lillemon said. "It's still a good showing and he moved up a few places.

"It's exciting to know that Riverland golf can compete at that level."

Bennett, an Albert Lea native, shot 79-78-80-77--314 to finish 21 shots off the pace.

"I guess he hit the ball well all week long, but he was having trouble putting," Clark said. "Putting is pretty much what separated the scores this week."

After experience a learning curve during the first round, Clark said he putted well over the final 54 holes.

"There wasn't an easy putt out there, you really have to work on every shot," he said. "There were a lot of big breakers."

Clark played the front nine Friday 1-over par, but his birdie at the 11th was quickly erased by a 5-over finish on the last five holes of the tournament. Upon returning home to Austin, Clark met with some friends for a leisurely round of golf despite spending a whole week playing at nationals.

"It's what I love to do," he said.

Call Ross Thede at 434-2234 or e-mail him at :mailto:sports@austindailyherald.com.