OCU Collects Eighth NAIA Women's Golf Title

2017 Jun 5

Oklahoma City University wrapped up its eighth NAIA women's golf championship Friday, May 26 at the Squire Course at PGA National.

The third-ranked Stars kept fourth-rated Embry-Riddle (Ariz.) at bay to win by eight shots. Oklahoma City fired a 308-312-305-925 on the par-72, 6,013-yard course.

Oklahoma City secured its 65th national championship in all sports. The Stars took their third national crown of 2016-17 after winning the NAIA women's basketball and competitive cheerleading titles in March. OCU has won a national crown each year since 1993-94.

OCU led throughout the tournament, but eighth-ranked South Carolina Beaufort briefly went ahead Friday morning. USC Beaufort trailed the Stars by three strokes entering the last round.

OCU's eight national crowns tops NAIA women's golf as the Stars own national titles won in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2013, 2014 and 2017.

"I cannot put into words how proud I am of this group," Oklahoma City coach Marty McCauley said. "All nine of them have been selfless all season and have without a doubt earned this national championship. They earned it through their dedication to one another and to the common goal of returning home with another national championship."

Melissa Eldredge, Anna Mikish and Savannah Moody of OCU clinched all-tournament accolades by finishing among the top 15 individuals. Mikish, a senior from Choctaw, Okla., spearheaded the Stars with a 76-76-77-229 to tie for sixth place. Mikish made par on 14 holes Friday and topped the field with 40 par scores during the tournament. Mikish ended up seven strokes behind the tournament champion Courtney Dye from Indiana Tech.

Eldredge and Moody tied for 11th place. Eldredge, a freshman from Eufaula, Okla., posted a 78-79-75-232, accumulating 32 par scores and six birdies. Moody, a junior from Aledo, Texas, turned in a 76-78-78-232 with 38 times made par. OCU led the tournament with 168 pars made.

Caroline Goodin, a senior from Oklahoma City, contributed a 78-86-75-239, while Kailey Campbell, a senior from Oktaha, Okla., carded an 82-79-79-240.

The Stars featured a senior-laden team with five among a group of nine golfers. Campbell, Goodin, Mikish, Raegan Barnes and Katie-Lee Wilson were on OCU's last national title team as freshmen.

"It's truly been an unforgettable four years with everyone," Goodin said. "This national championship didn't come easy. There were a lot of highs and lows all season.

"We wouldn't have gotten to this national championship win without trusting each other. When I had a rough second round, I knew my team had my back. And when others had rough holes, I knew that I was covering for them. I can't imagine sealing my senior year with a victory with anyone else."

McCauley has led OCU to three national titles in seven seasons as head coach. McCauley became NAIA coach of the year for the third time.

"I think what put us ahead was our focused final two weeks of practice to simulate the tournament setting," Goodin said. "That really made a difference. Coach helped us set up the courses at home similar to what we'd see at PGA National."

The competitors played under scattered clouds with temperatures that started at 73 degrees then climbed to 83 by the afternoon. The wind blew between 8-12 mph. Rain fell during the first three days of the tournament, eliminating one round of the event.

"I think today's round went great," McCauley said. "The course was set up difficult for a final round as you would expect for a national championship. I can't say how proud I am of my girls for handling the challenges they faced."

2017 NAIA Women's Golf National Championships

All-Tournament Team

Courtney Dye, Indiana Tech
Jessica Williams, Embry-Riddle (Ariz.)
Kaitlyn Riley, Cumberlands (Ky.)
Hannah Sager, Faulkner (Ala.)
Tia Teiniketo, Dalton State (Ga.)
Anna Mikish, Oklahoma City
Winnie Hyun, British Columbia
Courtney Lowery, Point (Ga.)
Rebecca Bostrom, Southeastern (Fla.)
Caroline Griffin, Dalton State (Ga.)
Savannah Moody, Oklahoma City
Melissa Eldredge, Oklahoma City
Kimberly Nelson, Grand View (Iowa)
Elsa Westin, Keiser (Fla.)
Sabrina Schloo, Keiser (Fla.)