AMES - The Kirkwood men's golf team proved once again Sunday that it has the best program in Region XI.

The Eagles captured the regional title for the 13th time in the last 15 years with a 16-stroke victory at Veenker Memorial Golf Course in  Ames.

On top of that, Niall Powell became the 12th player from Kirkwood to claim the individual championship in the last 14 years. Powell is a freshman from England.

The Eagles finished the 36-hole tournament with a four-man total of 601, good for a 16-shot verdict over Iowa Central.

Powell fired a 1-under-par 71 Sunday to edge Wes Bantenbach of Iowa Central by one shot for the individual crown at 1-over 145.

Jordan Even tied for third at 5-over 149. Louis Flynn tied for fifth at 9-over 153 and JD Goodfellow was seventh at 10-over 154, giving the Eagles four golfers in the top seven.

Kirkwood finished second at the national tournament last year and Coach Darin Pint was named the 2016 National NJCAA Division II Coach  of the Year.

TEAM STANDINGS

1. Kirkwood 601, 2. Iowa Central 617, 3. DMACC 625, 4. Iowa Lakes 631,  5. Northeast 649, 6. NIACC 655, 7. Southeastern 677, 8. Southwestern  697.

KIRKWOOD: 1. Niall Powell 74-75=145, 3. Jordan Even 73-76=149, 5.  Louis Flynn 75-78=153, 7. JD Goodfellow 80-74=154, 21. Charles Hartwig  83-79=162.