Info Icon This website uses cookies.

This website uses cookies. For more information, review our Privacy Policy. Questions? Please email [email protected].

Men’s Golf Team Clinches National Championship

Ben Rebne stepped up to the green on the 18th hole on the final day of the NAIA Men’s Golf National Championship Tournament in Illinois. It was the moment he had been dreaming of.

A single, long, 20—foot putt would win the tournament for the Dalton State Roadrunners.

“It’s hard to describe because when you’re in a moment like that, something with that magnitude happens to you, you kind of black out,” said Rebne. “I don’t have much recollection of the putt itself. Every young golfer has a dream like that, a long putt to clinch the victory.”

Rebne remained calm and focused and let the years of training as a golfer take over. His successful putt gave the Roadrunners their first ever national championship in golf.

“I knew it was going to go in,” he said. “I knew what I had to do. I knew if I missed it we’d go into a playoff. As soon as I stood over the ball I don’t remember anything really. It’s so surreal to get to stand up there and accept that trophy and pose behind that red championship banner for photos.”

Rebne tied for second place individually, shooting an even-par 71 in the final round. Other team members competing in the tournament were Steve Kibare, Trevor Bassett, Matthew Cleary and Joshua Stern.

 “I could not be prouder of this group,” said Coach Ben Rickett. “They have dealt with so much adversity all year and hung in there with the weather the last six holes. What a storybook ending for Ben’s college career, to make such a putt and win the national championship, especially after the disruptions a global pandemic caused for the team. I can’t believe we’re the national championship team.”

Rebne wrapped up his senior year a few weeks ago. He majored in business management and is now looking at golfing professionally. He credits Rickett and Dalton State for that opportunity.

“It has been incredible,” Rebne said of his time as a Roadrunner. “I wasn’t that great of a golfer, and I wasn’t a team leader in the slightest. Coach Rickett turned me into a good golfer and a good leader. The Roadrunner family is something that’s hard to explain to people. It’s something you don’t get very often.”

Explore more posts

Stay up-to-date, Roadrunner Nation

Read the latest news, stories and events happening at Dalton State.
Feb 17, 2025

LEARNING Foundation of Georgia announces plans for K-12 charter school in collaboration with Dalton State College 

The newly established LEARNING Foundation of Georgia, in partnership with Dalton State College, is taking steps to open a new public charter school that, if approved, will open in fall 2026. While the school will serve students in kindergarten through third grade initially, it will add grades over time to serve students through twelfth grade.  […]

Read More
Feb 13, 2025

Dalton State invites community to join in Homecoming celebrations 

Dalton State College is gearing up for its annual Homecoming celebration, featuring three days of exciting events open to the community from Thursday, Feb. 20 through Saturday, Feb. 22. “With a packed schedule of activities leading up to coronation and the homecoming basketball game, there’s something for everyone to enjoy as the Roadrunners showcase their […]

Read More
Feb 05, 2025

Dalton State offers free tax prep services to the community

Student and alumni volunteers from Dalton State College’s Wright School of Business are providing free state and federal tax preparation services to members of the community with low to moderate income. Volunteers will provide services on the Dalton State campus in Gignilliat Hall, room 145, Tuesday through Thursdays from 2 to 4:30 p.m. through February […]

Read More