A young golfer from Bedford has added to what has been an excellent season of collegiate golf with victory at an esteemed National Junior College competition in Indiana, United States.
Connor Tallentire, 19, who used to attend Wootton Upper School and has won multiple titles in the Bedfordshire Golf sphere, is now expanding his trophy cabinet Stateside after a sensational freshman season off the back of receiving a scholarship in August 2025.
Fresh off helping his Murray State College men’s golf team capture its first National Junior College (NJCAA) Division Two National Championship, freshman Tallentire also added two of the sport’s most prestigious individual college honours.
Tallentire was named the recipient of the Phil Mickelson Outstanding Freshman Award, while also earning the NJCAA Division Two Arnold Palmer National Invitational Award.
Tallentire entered the final round in Plymouth, Indiana with a one-shot lead and delivered clutch birdies on the par-five 15th and 18th holes to secure the national title by one stroke over Meridian’s, Jace Duckworth.
“It was the biggest stage and competition of my career to date”, says Connor.
“I was nervous, but at the same time enjoyed the whole experience and learnt so much from it.
“It’s absolutely amazing and a privilege to receive such awards, as it was always [one of] my goals to receive the Freshman award when I arrived at Murray State College.
He becomes the first man in history from Murray State College to claim the individual prize.
Leading his team to victory
‘The Aggies’, as Murray State College are known, won Division Two of the National Championship by seven shots over Heartland College, Illinois.
Tallentire’s four rounds of 67, 70, 74 and 76 were front and centre of the effort, with worsening conditions as the tournament went on playing a part, as Connor drew on all of his experience to date to help his team over the line.
Throughout the 2025/26 season, Tallentire has compiled nine top-10 finishes in the notoriously difficult US College junior golf system, including seven finishes inside the top five.
He earned his first collegiate victory as co-medallist at the ‘Fall Aggie’ Invitational before capturing an eight-shot victory at the Charles Cooper Classic later in the autumn.
Those two victories, plus another triumph at the Oklahoma and a nine-under round at a tournament in New Mexico has helped Connor rise to sixth in the US national rankings, and second in his region.
All of which Connor hopes will stand him in good stead as he aims for his ultimate goal of a PGA Tour card in the future.
“Its been my dream to go pro, and now that dream is starting to kick on into reality”, adds Connor.
“I would like to thank my parents and my coach and assistant coach at Murray State, Tyler, who has supported me throughout the season.
“Thank you also to my coach here in the UK, Steve Vinnicombe at Bedford and County Golf Club, for his continued support.”
