West Florida is ranked #7 (Photo Courtesy GoArgos.com)

Abilene Christian remained atop the Golf World/Nike Golf D-II men’s coaches’ poll, earning four of the 16 available first-place votes. The Wildcats have posted two runner-up finishes thus far in the fall.

Central Oklahoma jumped from No. 5 to No. 2 in the most recent poll, earning six first-place votes after winning the Charles Coody West Texas Invitational and the Dornick Hills Classic.

Read More: GolfDigest.com

Chico State had wrested the lead away from Florida Southern on Thursday, but one day later, the Moccasins grabbed it back. Only one stroke separated the two teams going into the final round, and the Mocs made up the difference right away and never surrendered the lead once they had it. Matt Stauch had a lot to do with that, as the senior birdied two of his first three holes and added another one on #6 that put him at three-under for the round. The Mocs also got a birdie from Jude Eustaquio on his first hole that officially put them ahead to stay.

Stauch continued to carry the Mocs the rest of the day, and it was fitting that his birdie putt on 18 was the final punch that allowed Florida Southern to celebrate its 12th national championship overall, the fifth under current head coach Doug Gordin, and their first since 2000. No other team has won more than six national championships at the Division II level.

Florida Southern was never far from first place at any point in the tournament, but Nova Southeastern and Chico State each had their day at the top of the standings. In the end, the Sharks really weren’t a factor, and the Mocs’ final round score of 307 was enough to widen the gap between them and Chico State. Central Missouri made it interesting though, with three eagles on the back nine that got them within five strokes; but the Mules finished ahead of Florida Southern and could only watch as the Moccasins did what they had to do.

The Mocs ended up having to count 81’s from both Eustaqio and Peter Creighton, but Chico State had a pair of 80’s to nearly balance it out. It was the first time all week Florida Southern counted a score over 80, and only the second time Chico State had to do it. Still, Creighton made his presence felt earlier with back-to-back rounds of 75 to start the tournament, and Eustaqio picked the Mocs up with a 72 in round two before his one-under par on the back nine Wednesday helped keep the Mocs within striking distance at the end of round three.

Where the Mocs really made up ground on Friday was with Shelton Smith and Stauch. Smith shot a two-over par 74 and Stauch finished with a 71. That was a total of 11 strokes better than Chico State’s top two counters and dead even with the top two from Central Missouri, which also had to count an 80.

The Moccasins didn’t count Danny Evelyn’s 82, but like Eustaqio and Creighton, Evelyn was part of the reason Florida Southern was even within striking distance going into Friday. His 73 on Thursday was the Mocs’ best score of the day and helped keep them within one shot of the lead.

The final round was historic before it ever began. Due to impending thunderstorms in the afternoon, the Division II Men’s Golf Committee utilized the administrative cut option under NCAA guidelines, and trimmed the field from 20 teams to 15, giving them a better chance of completing a full round. Also making the cut were the top seven golfers not on one of the 15 remaining teams, and tee times were adjusted to ensure an earlier finish.

It was the first time on record the NCAA was forced to use that option, and put schools like Florida Southern in a dangerous position. If the final round was not completed in its entirety, the score would revert back to the end of the third round, and Chico State would be crowned national champion.

Fortunately for the Moccasins, that didn’t happen. The round was completed, though higher winds than the first three days certainly played a role in Friday’s scores. Florida Southern, Chico State, Nova Southeastern and Western New Mexico, four of the top five teams entering the final round, all had their highest scores of the tournament.

Gordin’s assessment of the course early in the week proved to be correct too, as he called it one of the most difficult he’s seen in Division II golf. It was the first time since 1995 the national champion had a final score over 1,200. Florida Southern finished with a 4-day total of 1,206.

While Central Missouri was seven shots behind and Chico State eight back, defending national champion Sonoma State was in fourth place with a 10-stroke deficit. Barry, which had been ranked #1 in the country entering the finals, finished fifth with a margin of 12 strokes, and Nova Southeastern was sixth, 20 strokes behind Florida Southern.

The individual champion was individual qualifier Cyril Bouniol of Abilene Christian who was the only golfer in the field to break par. Holding on to his lead from Thursday, Bouniol shot a three-under 285 for the tournament, six strokes better than Justin Yoder of Central Missouri. Florida Southern’s Matt Stauch was third with a 293, trailing the Bouniol by eight shots.

Shelton Smith was tied for eighth with a 299, Jude Eustaquio tied for 30th with a 310, and both Danny Evelyn and Peter Creighton tied for 41st with scores of 312.

– Courtesy Florida Southern Athletics

“The season we just had is historic for NCAA Division II women’s golf,” said NSU head coach Kevin Marsh. “Nine team titles, including a conference and regional championship, eight individual titles, our fourth NCAA Division II National Player of the Year, our third NCAA Division II Freshman of the Year, and a team scoring average which was the lowest in Division II history. This is a season these girls and I will remember for the rest of our lives.”

The defending national champion Sharks led from start to finish in the 72-hole NCAA Division II National Championships. NSU raced out to an eight stroke lead after the first round of play and took control of the Championships in the second round by firing a tournament low team score of 285 to distance themselves by 29 strokes from the field. After gaining another six strokes in the third round, the Sharks punctuated their title by adding five more strokes to their lead in the final round to win by a total of 40 strokes.

“Since August there have been questions on a daily basis about the chances to repeat as National Champions and for nine months these girls have responded to every challenge they faced,” Marsh said. “I have not been around a more special group of people and Amanda and I are honored to have the opportunity to coach them each day.”

The top-ranked Sharks (298-285-296-301-1180) defeated No. 2 Rollins (306-306-302-306-1220) by 40-strokes for the title. No. 4 Florida Southern (317-302-303-299-1221) made it three Sunshine State Conference teams atop the leader board while No. 7 Tarleton State (311-305-306-300-1222) and No. 10 Sonoma State (313-305-305-313-1236) rounded out the top five positions.

“This was a great day and a great week in NSU Athletics,” said NSU Director of Athletics Michael Mominey. “Winning back-to-back national championships is a tremendous accomplishment. This is truly a credit to Kevin and assistant coach Amanda Brown who have done an outstanding job with these young ladies. They are not only two-time Champions; they are great ambassadors for the department and the University. They represent the department in a first-class way on and off the course. Their talent, chemistry, drive and determination to be the best they can is obvious once you watch them play one round of golf and spend time with them.”

While the team led from the get-go, three-time defending NCAA Division II National Player of the Year Sandra Changkija (Jr., Orlando, Fla.) erased a four-shot final round deficit to win the first individual title in NSU women’s golf program history. She finished the tournament at even-par (74-67-71-72-284).

Senior and four-time NGCA All-American Maria Garcia-Austt (Montevideo, Uruguay) tied for fourth place (75-74-78-72-299) while junior Nicole Whitmore (Milton Keyes, Fla.) tied for seventh place (75-75-73-79-302) to have three Sharks finish among the top-10. 2010 NCAA Division II National Freshman of the Year Abbey Gittings (Tamworth, Fla.) tied for 16th place (74-80-74-79-307) and two-time All-American Taylor Collins (Jr., Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.) came in a tie for 21st place (83-69-79-78-309) to conclude the scoring for Nova Southeastern. The Sharks were the only team to have three players place in the top-10 and to have all five players place among the top-21.

Competing as an individual, Newberry’s Maria Luz Besio came in second place (71-68-69-82-290) after leading for the first three rounds. Rollins’ Joanna Coe came in third place (74-70-77-74-295), 11 strokes behind Changkija.

– Courtesy NSU Athletics

The championship includes 108 student-athletes (20 teams of five who qualify in regional play throughout the nation, in addition to the top eight individuals not on those teams). Those 108 student-athletes compete over 72 holes of golf to determine both team and individual champions.

“We are excited to bring our 2010 championships to central Indiana and The Sagamore Club,” said David Sharp, chair of the NCAA Division II Men’s Golf Committee and athletic director at Ouachita Baptist University. “A Nicklaus-designed course measuring nearly 7,200 yards will provide both a tremendous challenge and a great championship experience for our student-athletes.”

FULL STORY

–Courtesy UIndy Athletics

After an incredible comeback effort on the back nine (Sonoma gained seven strokes on San Bernardino), the Seawolves finally drew even with the Coyotes on the final hole when Patrick Bauer’s bogey bested a double-bogey by CSUSB’s Gene Webster. The ending could not have been scripted better as the Seawolves and Coyotes were paired together and all eyes were on Bauer and Webster down the stretch.

Sonoma would then edge San Bernardino 16-17 on the playoff hole to emerge with the trophy. The Seawolves got four pars and one bogey while the Coyotes carded three pars and two bogeys. The team playoff was played on the 18th hole.

ounded in 2004, the Sonoma State men’s golf team is in just its sixth season. The squad finished 13th at the national championship in 2007 and 16th in 2008. The Seawolves won CCAA titles in 2008 and 2009 and a west region title in 2008.

The Seawolves become the first CCAA institution to win the NCAA Division II men’s golf national championship since Cal State Northridge in 1974 and just the fourth all-time. It is the first win by a California school since UC Davis in 1979. It is also the first time that CCAA schools have finished 1-2 in the national championship tournament.

FULL STORY

–Courtesy Sonoma State University Athletics

Nova Southeastern played consistent golf throughout the tournament, firing a 314 in the first round, a 302 in the second and a 307 in both the third and fourth rounds. Their 302 in the second round was a tournament low.

Individually, University of Indianapolis junior Lyndsay McBride fired a 77 on the final day to claim the 2009 National Championship by two strokes over Pfeiffer University senior Charlene Reid, who posted a 73 during the fourth round, and Nova Southeastern sophomore Sandra Changkija, who carded a 75 on Saturday.

FULL STORY

–Courtesy Findlay Athletics

The top three teams along with the top three individuals not with a team from each regional have advanced to the championships.

The championships will consist of both team and individual competition conducted concurrently. All participants will compete throughout the entire 72 holes of competition. In the team competition, the low four scores for each team will count in each day’s total score. The number of participants allowed at the finals is 72.

The following teams and individuals were selected to participate in the championships.

Super Regional One Teams:
1. Grand Valley State
2. Ferris State
3. Indianapolis

Super Regional Two Teams:
1. Nova Southeastern
2. Florida Southern
3. Rollins

Super Regional Three Teams:
1. Upper Iowa
2. Concordia-St. Paul
3. Augustana (South Dakota)

Super Regional Four Teams:
1. Tarleton State
2. West Texas A&M
3. Cal State Chico

Highlights of the NCAA Division II Women’s Golf Championships will be shown on CBS at 2 p.m. Eastern time, Saturday, July 4. The CBS seasonal show will feature highlights of 17 different NCAA championships held during the spring.

FULL STORY

–Courtesy NCAA.com

This one, however, may be remembered forever.

Trailing in the final two holes, the Argos rallied to force a three-team playoff, then won the NCAA Division II men’s championship in dramatic fashion, defeating North Alabama and St. Edwards at Memorial Park Golf Course in Houston.

“I think I just aged 10 years,” said UWF coach Steve Fell, who also guided the Argos to the 2001 national title. “It was such an emotional day, with all the ups and downs.”

UWF had a four-shot lead and all the momentum going into the final round, but North Alabama and St. Edwards outplayed UWF on the back nine to take over the lead.

UWF freshman Kyle Scott birdied the 17th hole to help force the playoff, then birdied his first playoff to win the title. In the playoff, all five players from each team played separate holes and the best cumulative score decided the champion.

The national golf championship was part of the NCAA Division II Spring Festival in Houston, with championships decided in track, tennis and golf.

–Courtesy Pensacola News Journal

The super regionals will be conducted May 5-7. The sites and teams selected to participate are listed below. Conference automatic qualifiers are indicated in brackets next to the institution’s name. The five super regional tournaments encompass the current ten regions.

The top team from each region within the super regional and the top individual not with a team from each super regional (regardless of region) will advance to the finals May 14-17 at the Division II Spring National Championships Festival in Houston, Texas. The finals will be hosted by Rice University and the Harris County-Houston Sports Authority.

Ten additional teams will earn berths to the finals. These teams will be determined based on the previous three-year average of top-10 finishes of a super regional at the finals.

FULL STORY

–Excerpt courtesy of NCAA.com