Thunderbirds win NAIA men’s golf championship by 12 strokes
Dave Stewart shot a 2-under 70 in his final round Friday to lead the University of British Columba Thunderbirds to victory at the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics men’s golf championship.UBC is one of five Canadian schools participating in the NAIA, an association largely made of American universities.
Entering the day just three shots ahead of 2005 champion Johnson and Wales University, the Thunderbirds ended the four round championship with a team score of 1156, to earn their first title by 12 strokes over top-ranked Oklahoma Christian.
Stewart, from Prince Albert, Sask., rebounded from tough second and third rounds to cap of his NAIA career with a tenth place finish. His 70 was tied for the best round of the day.
“Today, Dave just put us on his back,” said coach Chris MacDonald, who led the UBC women to an NAIA Championship back in 2004. “He started so well and then even after having a few rough holes at the end of the front nine, he made the turn and played 12 and 13 so well, which were they key holes all tournament and especially today.”
UBC is the first Canadian school to win the NAIA men’s title. Simon Fraser University finished second in 1999.
UBC’s four top golfers all finished in the top ten in the individual race, with Blake Rowe-Sleeman of Coquitlam, B.C. finishing second and Cory Renfrew of Victoria and Andrew Robb of Richmond, B.C., finishing in a tie for sixth. Brandon Markiw of Edmonton finished in 77th place.
-with a report from CP