RAPID CITY, S.D. - The Oklahoma City University women's golf team battled a challenging golf course, a very competitive field and ever-changing weather conditions to come away with their fifth-consecutive title.  The Stars were crowned the 2009 NAIA Women's National Golf Team Champions Friday afternoon at Meadowbrook Golf Course in Rapid City, S.D.

The Stars, collectively, managed to post solid scores for all four rounds on a tough golf course in undesirable weather conditions. Oklahoma City finished with a four-day total of 1,228, staying ahead of the runners-up squad from Bethel (Ind.) who carried a 72-hole tally of 1,261. Embry Riddle (Fla.) and California Baptist both came in with team score of 1,266 to share third place while British Columbia rounded out the Top 5 with a grand total of 1,287.

 In the individual race, Oklahoma City was well represented as Sydney Cox and Ashley Sholer pulled away in the final round and ended up going head-to-head with each other. Cox started the final round with a three-stroke lead and managed to keep that margin as the teammates both had a Day 4 total of 73. Cox won the national individual title as the only competitor to break 300 with an overall score of 297 while Sholer finished as the national runner-up with a total score of 300. Charlotte Guileux of Wayland Baptist (Tex.) and Malin Thorberg of California Baptist tied for third, each carding scores of 305 while 2008 national champion Shanna Page of Bethel (Ind.), ended the season in fifth place with an overall tally of 308.

 The Stars now have three individual national championships to their credit and five team championships, ranked first in both categories.

The 2010 NAIA Women's National Championships will return to South Dakota and will again be held at Meadowbrook Golf Course.

2009 NAIA National Championship All Tournament Team
Sydney Cox, Oklahoma City
Ashley Sholer, Oklahoma City
Charlotte Guileux, Wayland Baptist
Malin Thorberg, California Baptist
Shanna Page, Bethel (Ind.)
 Julie Donnestad, Lee
 Angela Gauck, Marian
Rachel Ingram, Lee
Albane Flamant, Embry Riddle (Fla.)
 Adriana Niclotti, California Baptist
Krista Burton, Lindsey Wilson
Christina Cung, Oklahoma City
Katrina Ruest, Savannah College of Art and Design
Tara Allen, Embry Riddle (Fla.)
Kelly Rainbolt, Lubbock Christian