The Daytona State College women’s golf team won the NJCAA Division I National Championship in May, their 12th such title in school history. They defeated Odessa College in a four-day tournament that came down to the final round.
The championship victory came on May 14 at Oakwood Country Club in Coal Valley, Illinois. The defending champion Odessa Wranglers, representing Texas, came in as the top-ranked school in the tournament. The Daytona State Falcons were ranked second. Entering the event third was Sanford’s Seminole State College.
The Daytona State Falcons won the tournament in the final round with a score of +69 over par. This was just one stroke better than the Odessa Wranglers, who finished at +70 over par. That one fateful stroke was the difference that allowed DSC to unseat the defending champions.
“I couldn’t be any prouder of this team,” said DSC Women’s Golf Coach Laura Brown. “Oakwood was an extremely challenging course and we had some tough, windy conditions in the second and third rounds, but our players battled the entire time and we managed to pull off the victory. This was one of the most exciting endings in recent history, as the tournament wasn’t decided until the final players in the final group made their final putts. To be a part of such an exciting finish will stay with these players forever and I’m so happy for them.”
Both DSC and Odessa traded the lead throughout the tournament. Odessa’s Napajira Nami Luesattha was named the Medalist Award winner for the second year in a row, shooting +6 over par. Seminole State finished third in the tournament at +116 over par. Rounding out the top five was Texas’s Weatherford College followed by New Mexico Junior College.
While an Odessa golfer was best overall in the tournament, two DSC golfers were hot on her heels. Alana Kutt shot +10 over par to finish four strokes behind Nami Luesattha, with Jamie Lowry in third at +12 over par. Both of these two athletes earned 1st Team All-American Honors. DSC’s Laura Brown was named Championship Coach of the Tournament.
“This championship speaks to the talent, determination and composure of these student-athletes and Coach Laura Brown,” said DSC President Dr. Tom LoBasso. “Winning a national championship is an extraordinary accomplishment. I congratulate all of them.”
