Oklahoma Christian and Southeastern each will advance to the national level of the NCAA Division II Men’s Golf Championship. And each was very close to taking the top spot of super regional in which it competed.
Oklahoma Christian was in first place at the end of each of the first two days of the three-day competition in the West/South Central super regional, posting a 286 on Monday and a 286 on Tuesday. With an amazing consistency, the Eagles shot 286 again on Wednesday. But Chico State, trailing by one stroke after two days, shot 279 and took the super regional by six.
The Eagles finished second and will advance from the super regional to play in Denver, May 17-21.
However, OC’s Sam Johnston took the individual medal. The senior shot a 5-under 66 on the final round and held of Sonoma State’s Brandon Lee by two strokes.
Also from the West/South Central regional, Cameron held on to the 14th spot in the field, 33 strokes off the lead, and will not move on.
Southeastern also finished second in its competition, and the margin was as narrow as it comes.
The Savage Storm made up two strokes on Central Missouri and was in a tie for first in the Midwest/Central super regional late in the day on Wednesday, but came up one stroke short of the title. Southeastern will move on to the national round.
Southeastern shot 291-300-310 on the week and was led by Zach James.
James experienced the “one-stroke-short” feeling twice on the day, as he came up just one out of first place individually. James finished second to Talon Supak of Illinois-Springfield, seven strokes over for the tournament.
Central Oklahoma had just enough to hold off a strong push by Southwestern to claim the fifth spot on the leaderboard and advances as well, with a 299-300-314 – 913 tournament.
Southwestern had the best day of the regional on Wednesday, with a 301, but couldn’t quite make up the gap and finished sixth. The Bulldogs shot 301-313-301 – 915, just out of the top five.
Additionally, SWOSU’s Jake Duvall shot a 221 on the tournament, which also left him just shy of advancing individually, as the top two players whose teams don’t move on will advance as individuals. Duvall was three strokes behind Supak and one behind Arkansas Tech’s Bryce Burke.
Northeastern’s Tate Williamson finished in a tie for 11th individually at 225.