From June 19-23 and June 26-30, USCBAthletics.com will count down the top 10 moments of the 2016-17 school year for Sand Shark Athletics. Today’s entry is No. 2 on the list.
For a few hours in May, the first national championship in USCB athletics history was within reach.
That elusive national title slipped away on the back nine at PGA National, but the USCB women’s golf team posted a third-place finish that day at the NAIA Women’s Golf National Championships – the highest finish in program history and tied for the best national championship finish by any USCB team.
Rain threw a wrench into the schedule throughout the week, but it didn’t derail the Sand Sharks, who carded a team score of 316 on the opening day and were tied for third when the rain-delayed first round concluded the next morning.
USCB got off to another strong start in the second round and had pulled into second place when play again was halted early for the day. The Sand Sharks maintained their second-place standing when the round was completed and entered the final round just three shots back of Oklahoma City.
The possibility of a national title loomed for most of the final day for USCB, which briefly grabbed a one-shot through six holes but hovered three to five shots behind the Stars for most of the round. The Sand Sharks were three shots off the lead with everyone through 15 holes, but Oklahoma City pulled away over the final three holes to win their eighth women’s golf national championship.
The impressive finish provided a glimpse of the future for the Sand Sharks, who were the only team to place all five players in the top 30 and return all five starters next season.
“I’m very excited for next year and hope the newcomers will come in and raise the level of competition amongst the team,” head coach Brittany Dabule said. “With hard work and dedication, I’m confident this upcoming season will include more team top finishes, tournament wins, and hopefully a Sun Conference championship and another chance to bring home a national title.”
