The Oklahoma Christian University men’s golf team, previously ranked sixth nationally at the Division II level, is coming off back to back individual tournament wins, riding the performances of junior Trevor Norby and sophomore Andres Brictson.
Norby, a redshirt transfer from San Diego State University, shot one-over 71 on Tuesday, March 19, at the Broncho Invitational at Oak Tree Country Club’s East Course to complete his first collegiate win by a four-shot margin.
Norby said he is surrounded by a strong group of players and his team, despite their recent achievements, has the ability to compete at an even higher level if they find regularity in their game.
“It was a great feeling to secure the win and play to my capability,” Norby said. “I think we have a really talented team and that we are capable of repeating these results. We need to find our stride from a consistency standpoint, and we will be able to accomplish some great things.”
Finishing the three-round tournament at four-under 206, the native of Carlsbad, CA, used the Eagles’ 7,102-yard home course to separate from St. Mary’s University’s Emilio Gonzalez, who was tied with Norby for the lead. Norby shot a consistent final round comprised of 15 pars, one birdie and two bogeys to secure the first place win.
The individual win was the first by an Oklahoma Christian golfer since senior Garrett White’s victory at the Heartland Conference Championship at Slick Rock Golf Course in Horseshoe Bay, TX, last year. Norby was Oklahoma Christian’s 20th golfer to win an individual tournament.
Norby’s solo performance allowed the Eagles to remain in contention during the final round. Oklahoma Christian trailed by only two shots, despite a nine-shot deficit in round one and a five-shot deficit in round two. Oklahoma Christian finished the tournament fourth out of the 16-team group.
Following Norby’s individual success at the Broncho Invitational, the Eagles rallied around the performance of Brictson to overcome an 11-stroke margin and win the St. Mary’s Invitational on Tuesday, March 26.
Brictson, who shot a three-under-par 67 at Onion Creek Club’s North Course in Austin, TX, locking down his first collegiate tournament win, said his success has sparked conviction amongst himself and the rest of the team, which they hope to carry out for the length of the remaining season.
“The win meant a lot to me,” Brictson said. “Knowing that I can go out with the lead in the final group and be able to close it out felt great. It gave me and the team a lot of confidence that we can use to finish out the remainder of the season.”
Senior Juan Pallach and Norby shot a 68 and 70, respectively on their last day, giving the Eagles a 280 final-round score and a tie for first with No. 23-ranked Midwestern State University.
The team win marked Oklahoma Christian’s fourth victory in the 2018-2019 season and their 63rd in program history.
Oklahoma Christian battled back, despite losing their lead on two separate occasions, making up a stroke on their final hole thanks to Brictson’s par-5 birdie on the 18th. Norby finished tied for seventh, and Pallach ended tied for 16th in the 84-man field.
The Eagles competed in the Dallas Baptist Patriot Classic which ended Tuesday, April 2, finishing with a final-round score of 306, putting them in fifth as a team.
Oklahoma Christian will now enter postseason play, starting with the Heartland Conference Tournament, which tees off Sunday, April 14 at Slick Rock Golf Course in Horseshoe Bay, TX.
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