The men’s golf team won the NAIA Golf National Championship during the summer.
Seventeen teams competed in the championship May 15-18 in Silvis, Illinois. After the first round on May 15, the Stars were in ninth place, but advanced to third place May 16. They pulled an eight-shot lead May 17, putting them in first place. The Stars shot five-under and won by 13 shots May 18, the last day of the championship. They were also the only team to score below par, the next highest score being a four-over 1140.
“The competition at the National Championship is always very strong,” Junior Golfer Rupert Kaminski said. “This year, in particular, there were several teams who were always going to be difficult to beat. I think the biggest key to our success was the determination our team showed throughout the tournament and how it was such a team effort. We all knew we were playing for something much bigger than ourselves, and I think always reminding ourselves of that was important.”
Kaminski is not returning to school this semester so he can focus on a professional career in golf. He said he attributes this decision in part to the training he received at OCU.
“It’s been such an honor to be able to represent Stars golf and Coach Blaser,” Kaminski said. “I just felt that the three years I spent playing there gave me everything I needed to take my career to the next level. Being on the team has played a huge part in where I am as a golfer today.”
Kaminski and three other OCU students, Senior Golfer Garrison Mendoza, Freshman Golfer Gaston Romero and Sophomore Golfer David Meyers, were named to the All-Tournament Team. All five players finished in the top 25 for their individual scores during the championship.
“The whole team played well,” Meyers said. “We all had a consistent week. If you look at the individual results, we really took each day as its own tournament, which was a key factor in winning the event.”
Meyers said the team not finishing as well last year made this year’s win feel even better. He also said everyone on the team is great to work with.
“It’s going to be a really competitive team, as every individual on the golf program is good enough to play in the top five,” Meyers said. “I really think this team will win another national championship next year.”
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