May 22, 2009

Oklahoma Christian University led wire-to-wire to win the 2009 NAIA Men's Golf National Championships at the TPC @ Deere Run Golf Course in Silvis, Ill. Friday afternoon. The Eagles earned their first men's golf NAIA national title after three runner-up finishes in the last eight years, including a second-place showing in 2008.

While there was a new team champion, a familiar face took individual medalist honors. Sam Cyr of Point Loma Nazarene University (Calif.) closed with his best two rounds of the tournament to win his second consecutive individual national championship.

With Oklahoma Christian holding a six-stroke lead and Cyr grabbing a five-shot edge entering Friday's final round, what seemed to be inevitable wasn't secured until the final holes.

Texas Wesleyan University, led by Armando Villareal, made a strong charge at the team championship.

The Rams carded a final round 297 to finish with a 49-over 1185 (299-296-293-297) but Oklahoma Christian fought off the challenge with a 299 to win by four strokes with an 1181 (291-298-293-299).

The University of British Columbia finished third with an 1191 (304-296-293-298), Oklahoma City University was fourth with an 1195 (303-301-299-292), and Berry College (Ga.) took fifth with a 1201 (299-303-291-308).

Villareal also made a run at the individual medalist honors before settling for second place. He shot a three-under 32 on the front nine to pull into a tie with Cyr and finished with a 69 for a four-round total of 285. But the defending champion closed his round of even-par 71 by playing his final nine holes two-under. Cyr put together rounds of 72-72-67-71 to finish with a total of 282, two shots under par.

Anthony Michael of Oklahoma City carded the best round of the tournament with his five-under 66 on Friday. Michael finished tied for third overall with a four-over 288 (74-75-73-66). Ben Smith (69-77-71-71) of Malone University (Ohio) also grabbed a share of third. British Columbia's Cory Renfrew took fifth with a 289 (77-70-69-73).

The top 16 individuals were named to the all-tournament team.

The 2009 NAIA Men's Golf National Championships were hosted by St. Ambrose University (Iowa) and the Quad Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau. The four-round event will also return to TPC @ Deere Run next year.

All-Tournament Team
Sam Cyr - Point Loma Nazarene (Calif.)
Armando Villareal - Texas Wesleyan
Ben Smith - Malone
Anthony Michael - Oklahoma City
Cory Renfrew - British Columbia
Fernando Gonzales - Oklahoma Christian
Samuel Del Val - Berry (Ga.)
Justin Lower - Malone
David Sherman - British Columbia
Michael Loppnow - Wayland Baptist (Texas)
Axel Ochoa - Oklahoma Christian
Dusty Drenth - St. Ambrose (Iowa)
Chase Lindsey - Oklahoma Baptist
Colin Nel - Oklahoma City
Craig Gibson - Missouri Valley
Carlos Arenas - Texas Wesleyan