Golf program defends title, women succeed in summer

Photo by: Henoc Kivuye

 

Returning for their second and final season as the reigning champions of the Heartland Conference, the Oklahoma Christian University golf squad looks to come out swinging.

Last year, as a part of an athletic department switch, Oklahoma Christian began the process of moving from the National Athletic Intercollegiate Association to NCAA Division II. Because of this switch, the Eagles were not allowed to compete in NCAA post-season play.

As a private Christian university however, the Eagles qualified to play in the National Christian College Athletic Association’s post-season play.

After winning two NAIA national championships in the last three seasons, the Oklahoma Christian men’s golf team prepared to make a splash in the NCCAA. The Eagles’ efforts garnered immediate success, as Oklahoma Christian claimed the national title by a staggering 52 strokes.

Although not eligible for NCAA post-season play, the Eagles were eligible for NCAA rankings, where they rose as high as 10th place at one point in the season.

Even though the Eagles won two tournaments against NCAA Division II teams in the spring of 2013, they still found themselves dropping in the rankings. The Eagles finished the year outside the top 25, finishing 42nd in the poll.

Oklahoma Christian returns many players from last year, including sophomore Sam Johnston. Last year the NCAA Division II All-American second team and the NCAA All-Freshman Team named Johnston to their rosters.

He tied fellow senior Eagle golfer Alasdair Dalgliesh for first last year in the NCCAA national tournament. Dalgliesh also returns for his final year with the squad.

This year the Eagles aim to make another title run for their final year of NCCAA play.

While making the pre-season top 25 poll could be a great start to a season for any team, for the 2013 fall season, the Eagles are ranked 24th in the NCAA pre-season poll—close enough to the edge that Oklahoma Christian seems an underdog despite past successes.

Only three other Heartland teams received votes in the poll, but none made the top 25.

Oklahoma Christian will play an NCAA schedule this year, meaning golf tournaments spanning both the fall and spring semesters. This year the Eagles will play six of those tournaments in the fall.

Off the course, Eagle golfers posted a team GPA of 3.35, earning them the honor of being a Golf Coaches Association of America All-Academic team. To qualify for the award, a team must have a combined team GPA of over 3.0.

Every golf team nationwide is eligible for the award, regardless of division, but only 143 teams are chosen. St. Edward’s joined Oklahoma Christian as the only other team in the Heartland Conference to win the award.

Juniors Trey Payne and Taylor Williams and sophomore Jackson Stueville all finished in the top 20 at the Oklahoma Stroke play tournament this summer.

Meanwhile, the Lady Eagles golf team finished the 2013 season strong, posting numerous top five finishes throughout the season.

The Lady Eagles used that success in the spring to ignite their summer performances. Many Oklahoma Christian golfers found success all over the globe.

The newest Lady Eagles signee, freshman Dana Todd, won numerous tournaments in her home country of Canada this summer.

During a three-week stretch, Todd won two tournaments, qualifying her for a prestigious tournament in Palm Beach, Fla.

Todd finished 43rd in the tournament, out of a field of 80 players. Many current LPGA players have participated in this tournament in the past.

Australia native and senior Catherine Odgers also found success this summer, winning tournaments in her home country.

Last season Odgers had three top 10 finishes, and was named an NCCAA All-American.

Sophomore Audrey Meisch finished sixth at the Kansas Women’s amateur tournament this summer. As a freshman last season Meisch played in all 10 of Oklahoma Christian’s tournaments, posting four top 20 finishes.

“A combination of returning players and new freshmen will make us serious contenders at every tournament,” Meisch said about the upcoming season. “We have all the elements necessary this year to get our first tournament win in program history. A main goal for us is to win the NCCAA tournament in October because we have talented players who can post low scores.”

Oklahoma Christian will play in the NCCAA championship Oct. 21-22 at the Hombre Club in Palm Beach, Fla. Last season the Eagles fell just short in the NCCAA championship.

Senior Morgan Dockery will serve the Eagles golf team this season as a student assistant coach.

She had a successful career with the Eagles, averaging a score of 83.8 over 23 career rounds. Dockery played in the Eagles’ inaugural season for women’s golf in 2011-2012.

The women’s golf team will play two tournaments this fall in the Oklahoma City area. The tournaments scheduled for Sept. 16-17 and Oct. 7-8 will both be played at Lincoln Park Golf Course in Oklahoma City.