The men’s disc golf team at Oklahoma Christian University is heating up at exactly the right time. Heading into the final tournament of the season, the Eagles have positioned themselves as one of the top teams in the country, combining consistent finishes with a confidence that continues to grow each week. Competing against teams like Texas A&M and University of Georgia is no small task.
“We are currently the 11th-ranked team in the nation heading into Nationals,” head coach Landon Clark said. “We’ve been consistent all year, and this group has put itself in a great position.”
That consistency was on full display at their most recent event, the MidSouth Collegiate Open Regional in Jonesboro, Arkansas. The tournament showcased both individual excellence and team success, with Oklahoma Christian narrowly missing the top spot.
“Our last tournament came down to the final hole against Texas A&M,” Clark said. “We finished second by just one stroke, and that says a lot about how well this team is playing right now. We’ve been on the podium at every event this season.”
For Elijah Cleary, a standout freshman for the team, the weekend was especially memorable.
“Our latest tournament was a regional in Jonesboro, and I was fortunate enough to take down the singles side,” Cleary said. “Our D1 team finished second by one stroke, and for the team rounds we got to play a pro tour course, which was super fun and really challenging.”
Now, all eyes turn to the biggest stage of the year.
“We’re headed to Rock Hill, South Carolina, to compete against the top 48 programs in the country,” Clark said. “Almost every school in the nation has a disc golf program, so we’ll be going up against some really big Division I universities.”
Cleary told us of the upcoming event being one of the most recognizable tournaments in college athletics.
“Our next tournament is Nationals,” Cleary said. “It’s basically like the NCAA Tournament for basketball, but for disc golf. Schools aren’t eliminated but we keep track of a cumulative score all week. We’re excited to compete and represent Oklahoma Christian.”
The Eagles’ success starts with a tight-knit varsity roster that has grown together throughout the season. The varsity team consists of Landon Clark, Kolton Webb, Elijah Cleary, and Keegan Haupt.
Cleary added, “Our D1 team is made up of me, Keegan Haupt, Landon Clark, and Kolton Webb. I’m currently ranked 16th, and we’ve all really pushed each other to get better this year.”
Beyond the results, the team’s chemistry has been a defining factor.
“We’re a group that really loves to work hard and compete for each other,” Clark said. “It means a lot to represent Oklahoma Christian on a national stage. This is the best team we’ve had in the program’s four-year history.”
For Cleary, the relationships built along the way are just as important as the competition.
“The best part about playing disc golf in college is getting to travel, eat, sleep, and compete with your friends,” Cleary said. “That’s something really special.”
There is also added motivation as two key members of the team prepare for their final collegiate tournament.
“This is the last year of college disc golf for Kolton and Landon,” Cleary said. “We’re hoping to end their careers on a really positive note.”
Despite competing against larger programs, Oklahoma Christian carries a belief that they can match up with anyone.
“We play our best when the moment is big,” Clark said. “There’s no team in the country that we don’t believe we can compete with. With the right mindset, we can go win.”
Preparation has been a major focus leading into nationals, both physically and mentally.
“We’re out on the course nearly every day,” Clark said. “In the evenings, we’re working on putting and technique in the Barn to stay sharp. We push each other because we know what we’re capable of. At the same time, we’re making sure our guys are in a good place mentally and physically.”
As they head to Rock Hill, the Eagles are embracing both the challenge and the opportunity ahead.
“College Disc Golf recently called us an underrated contender,” Cleary said. “We’re hoping to prove them right next week. More than anything, we want to go out there, compete at a high level, and show the world what this program is about.”
With momentum, confident players, and highly touted national players the disc golf team is looking to make some noise in South Carolina.
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