Natalie Gough, business sophomore, was awarded Sooner Athletic Conference’s women’s golfer of the year.
Gough’s tournament scores and overall performance through the season helped her achieve the honor.
Each year, one person is selected out of the Sooner Athletic Conference and voted on by head coaches from each school to receive this award.
OCU plays in the NAIA division which ranks below division one and division two schools and is roughly equal to division three.
Marty McCauley, head coach for women’s golf, said the award is given to someone who, in the head coaches’ opinions, is the best player in the conference.
“Since our season was cut short, this year was a little different. Usually, we have an actual conference championship where everybody plays against each other, and that kind of factors in,” McCauley said.
McCauley said this was based on Gough’s work from the tournaments the team was able to play this season.
“We ended up playing seven out of what would have been 12 tournaments this season,” McCauley said.
McCauley said the award is selected based off the information from the college statistic program Golfstat.
“They rank the players based off of the scores they shoot, the places they finish in their tournaments, and the schedule, like playing against tougher opponents helps you out, and Natalie was ranked best in our conference in Golfstat,” McCauley said.
McCauley said the golf team plays a difficult schedule throughout the season, and Gough had one victory and really good finishes at every tournament.
“She was awarded an All-American honor last week as well, which goes to the top 21 players in NAIA,” McCauley said.
McCauley said Gough has been awarded the All-American honor for both seasons she’s played at OCU thus far.
Gough said receiving this award means a lot to her.
“I mean, the fact that I earned this in college is insane. I would’ve never thought this would happen. It’s really awesome,” Gough said.
Gough said she is disappointed she wasn’t able to receive the award at school, but she still sees it as a huge honor.
“It was really exciting when my coach told me I got the award,” Gough said.
Gough said the season feels like it was forever ago.
“I definitely had some good rounds last semester, and I’m really glad we play both seasons, and not just the spring, because then we would’ve only played one tournament,” Gough said.
Gough said she would not have been able to get the award without the support of her team.
“Just being around my team, they have such a positive outlook on everything, and I miss them a lot,” Gough said.
Gough said it’s really disappointing the team is not able to compete in nationals this year.
“Thankfully, our senior is coming back for another year of eligibility, so we have next year to hopefully kick butt at nationals, which is exciting,” Gough said.
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