CAMBRIDGE FINISHES FOURTH, ROANE STATE PLACES 12TH AT 2025 NJCAA MEN'S GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP
PLYMOUTH, Ind. — Roane State's Noah Cambridge turned in a historic performance at the 2025 NJCAA Men's Golf Championship, finishing fourth overall with a 3-over-par score at Swan Lake Resort. His finish was the highest individual performance at nationals in the history of the men's golf program at the college.
Despite gusty winds and persistent rain for much of the four-day event, Cambridge remained steady across three of the four rounds and rebounded strongly after a rough second day to secure his place near the top of the national leaderboard.
"He did a great job," Raiders head coach Chris Griffin said. "Other than the second day, he was right there to the end. It's by far the best finish in program history."
Cambridge's fourth-place finish not only marked the best individual Nationals result in program history, but also earned him NJCAA All-American honors for 2025, capping off one of the greatest individual performances in the history of the program.
As a team, Roane State placed 12th in the national tournament, with multiple golfers turning in strong efforts under difficult conditions. Griffin noted that weather played a significant role throughout the week in Plymouth, where temperatures hovered around 45 degrees with steady rain and winds topping 20–25 mph.
"The rain finally eased up by Friday, but the wind never let up," Griffin said. "It impacted every team equally, but it made for a tough tournament."
Roane State's lineup featured a mix of upperclassmen and emerging talent. Team captain Colby Johnson fought through a challenging third round to help steady the team, while Heritage High School product Jetson Murrell delivered a standout final performance and filled a crucial fourth-man role that the Raiders had been seeking all season.
Tripp Hall, who will be the team's sole returning player next season, opened the tournament well but faded in the weather during the later rounds.
"I don't know if it was physical or mental fatigue, but it took a toll," Griffin explained. "He will get more consistent. Even on a tough day, a college golfer has to find a way to shoot a 75. That's what Division I-level players are doing."
Looking ahead to the 2025–2026 season, Roane State is already making moves to build on this year's national appearance. The team will return to Swan Lake Resort over Labor Day weekend to compete in the NJCAA National Preview, marking the program's first time entering that event.
The Raiders will feature a revamped roster, and Griffin is excited about the incoming class – calling it the best in his eight-year tenure. Among the new additions is Colin Keino, a Division I-caliber golfer who chose Roane State to develop both academically and athletically.
"Colin's going to be one to watch," Griffin said. "He'll be highly sought after in a couple years."
Joining him will be Anderson House of Bartlett, Tennessee, known for his work ethic and consistency, as well as two standout recruits from the United Kingdom – Lennon Hill and Reggie Phelps – each with impressive junior golf resumes.
"This is their dream, to come to America and play college golf," Griffin said. "They're incredibly focused and will be a great addition."
In preparation for next season, Roane State Athletics will host its annual golf fundraiser on Monday, August 18, 2025, at Oak Ridge Country Club. The event helps support the golf program and has become a vital part of its success.
"This is our seventh year doing this tournament," Griffin added. "It's hugely important to our team."
After a record-setting individual finish, a top-15 team performance, and the program's most promising recruiting class to date, Roane State is poised to be front and center on the national stage in the upcoming season.