VanDerLaan Claims Division II Arnold Palmer National Individual Champion Award

MESA, Ariz. – Florida Southern’s Michael VanDerLaan claimed the Division II Arnold Palmer National Individual Champion Award for earning medalist honors at the NCAA Championships. VanDerLaan’s brother John won the 2017 Palmer Award.

VanDerLaan opened the tournament tied for 13th after shooting even-par 72. He recovered with five birdies in the second round to fire 69 and move into a tie for sixth. VanDerLaan opened the final stroke-play round with three-straight birdies. Additional birdies on his sixth and ninth holes moved him to 8-under and the tournament lead. He would trade birdies and bogeys on his second nine before a birdie on his 16th hole pushed him to 6-under for the day, 9-under for the championship and two-stroke victory.

The win was the first of the senior’s college career.