DALTON, Ga. — The #3-ranked Dalton State Roadrunners begin their quest for another Red Banner when the 74th Annual NAIA Men's Golf National Championship tees off May 12–15 at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Illinois. The championship returns to the Quad Cities as part of the NAIA's selected host run at TPC Deere Run, a venue operated within the PGA TOUR's TPC Network and best known as the home of the John Deere Classic.
 
Dalton State enters the week with one of the strongest championship résumés in NAIA golf, including two program national championships (2021, 2024) and runner-up finishes in 2018 and 2022, a stretch that has established the Roadrunners as a perennial contender on the sport's biggest stage. The 2021 title carries special meaning this week: Dalton State's first national championship was won at TPC Deere Run, where the Roadrunners closed with a dramatic birdie on the final hole to secure the program's breakthrough Red Banner.
 
ROADRUNNERS AT THE NATIONAL TOURNAMENT: THE BIG-MOMENT PROGRAM
Dalton State's modern history at the NAIA national tournament is defined by both winning and contending. The Roadrunners have captured national championships in 2021 (TPC Deere Run) and 2024 (Dalton Golf & Country Club) while also finishing second nationally in 2018 and 2022, illustrating a program that repeatedly places itself in position late in the week.
 
The 2024 title, won on one of the Roadrunners' home courses in Dalton, was decided by a single stroke after a final round weather delay and shifting momentum, underscoring the program's ability to manage adversity and execute under pressure. That championship foundation is now paired with a familiar venue: the Roadrunners return to TPC Deere Run, where their first national banner was earned and where championship golf is the expectation, not the exception.
 
QUOTE FROM COACH
Dalton State head coach Ben Rickett has long pointed to focus and maturity as the difference-maker in championship settings.
 
"At this level, especially at a championship like the NAIA and a venue like TPC Deere Run, it really comes down to maturity and focus. You're not just playing the golf course, you're managing your emotions, your decisions, and your expectations shot by shot. The teams that separate themselves are the ones that stay present, trust their preparation, and handle both the highs and the adversity with composure. That mental discipline is what ultimately gives you a chance to compete for a championship."
 
TEE TIMES & PAIRINGS (ROUNDS 1 & 2)
The NAIA's first- and second-round draw places Dalton State in the same group both days with USAO (Okla.) and Marian (Ind.).
 
Round 1 — Tuesday, May 12 (Central Time) | Start: Hole 1
Dalton State's five lineup tee times are:

• 8:40 a.m. (CT)
• 8:50 a.m. (CT)
• 9:00 a.m. (CT)
• 9:10 a.m. (CT)
• 9:20 a.m. (CT)

Round 2 — Wednesday, May 13 (Central Time) | Start: Hole 10 | Flip Format (Two-Tee Start)
NAIA championship procedure for the two-tee setup has teams flip starting holes and morning/afternoon waves in Round 2 (teams that begin on No. 1 Tuesday move to No. 10 Wednesday).

Dalton State's five lineup tee times are:

• 2:00 p.m. (CT)
• 2:10 p.m. (CT)
• 2:20 p.m. (CT)
• 2:30 p.m. (CT) 
• 2:40 p.m. (CT)

COURSE INFORMATION: TPC DEERE RUN
TPC Deere Run is a par-71 championship layout that plays approximately 7,258 yards from the tips and has hosted PGA TOUR competition annually through the John Deere Classic.
 
Designed by D.A. Weibring and opened in 2000, the course features elevation changes, hardwood-lined corridors, and strategic risk-reward holes shaped by the Rock River setting, built to PGA TOUR standards while remaining playable across multiple tee sets.
 
The NAIA has leaned into that championship pedigree by returning the men's national tournament to TPC Deere Run multiple times, and the association notes that 2026 marks the event's 10th time at the site (dating back to 2009).
 
WHAT TO WATCH/HOW IT'S WON
With the field cut after 36 holes, getting positioned through the first two rounds is critical as teams chase a spot in the top group heading into the final stretch. For Dalton State, the formula is familiar: lean on lineup depth, avoid big numbers on a PGA-caliber test, and build momentum into moving day on one of the NAIA's most frequent championship hosts.
 
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FIND NEWS AND FOLLOW THE BIRDS: News and updates from Dalton State's women's golf team is posted on dsroadrunners.com and on X (@DaltonStateGolf), Facebook (@DaltonStateGolf) and Instagram (daltonstategolf). Be sure to follow to keep pace with the Birds!
 
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