CHAUTAUQUA, N.Y. – Jones County Junior College and Butler County Community College (Kan.) are tied for 12th place heading into the final round of the NJCAA Division III Golf Tournament here at Chautauqua Golf Club.

The Bobcats posted a 333 in Thursday’s third round to give them a three-day total of 1014, which matches Butler. Tourney leader Monroe Community College (N.Y.) is at 875 and holds a comfortable 21-shot advantage over Burlington Community College (N.J.), who is at 896 going into the final round.

JCJC’s Mitchell Smith, a Simpson Academy freshman, shot a 79 on Thursday, giving him a three-day total of 245. Teammate Nick Keyes, a West Jones sophomore, shot an 80 on Thursday, placing him at 246. Sumrall sophomore Ben Whitehead had an 87, placing him at 256, while Clarkdale freshman Clark Boatner had a 90, which gives him a 270. South Jones sophomore Rocky Purvis posted an 87, which gives him a 277.

Monroe’s Chris Malec shot a 72 on Thursday and continues to lead the tournament. He is at 7-under par 209. Dave Sanders of Burlington had the best round on Thursday, shooting a 5-under par 67. That places him two shots behind Malec at 5-under par 211. Sebastian Sarmiento of Montgomery College-Rockville (Md.) shot a 70, which puts him in third place at 215, 1-under par.

In Friday’s pairings, Purvis will tee off at 8:08 a.m., followed by Boatner at 8:16, Whitehead at 8:24, Keyes at 8:32 and Smith at 8:40.

The 72-hole tournament will conclude on Friday afternoon.