Trojans Finish Runner-Up at National Championship
OKLAHOMA CITY – The Taylor women's golf team capped off its remarkable 2020-2021 season with a runner-up finish at the 2021 NAIA National Championship on Friday.
The runner-up finish and the National Championship is the best finish in the eight-year history of the Taylor women's golf program and marked a special ending for an incredibly accomplished group of seniors comprising the core of the Trojan team.
"What a ride this has been," Taylor coach Cameron Andry said. "Having the opportunity to watch this incredibly special group compete with such courage, composure, and class has been such an honor. They have loved each other fiercely throughout their remarkable careers and have played not for their own glory but for the glory of God."
The Trojans finished the National Championship with a four round total of 1203, carding rounds of 294, 300, 305, 304. Keiser claimed the title at 1184 while Southeastern took third place followed by Dalton State and Oklahoma City in a tie for fourth.
Senior Taylor French led the way for the Trojans. The O'Fallon, Missouri native capped her stellar career with a tie for tenth place, earning a spot on the All-Tournament team with a 72-hole total of 296. French was tied for the lead after an opening round 3-under par 69 followed by back-to-back 73's in rounds three and four to go along with an 81 in the final round.
Senior Nicole Jung finished in a tie for 16th place at 299 (76-75-76-72) followed by senior Maddie Thomas in a tie for 20th place at 300 (73-78-76-73). Senior Annie Stimmel finished at 308 (76-74-80-78) while senior Rachel Coers finished at 325 (79-83-82-81).
The third round of the NAIA National Championship was halted on Thursday afternoon as severe storms moved through the Oklahoma City area and forced play to be postponed until Friday morning. The Trojans entered Thursday's third round in second place, 11 shots behind Keiser University but the Trojans stumbled out of the gates on Thursday morning and the Keiser lead swelled to 21 shots when play was halted.
Taylor regrouped overnight and mounted a charge at the end of round three and during the opening holes of the final round on Friday morning. Thanks to a hot start to the day by French, who tallied birdies on three of the final four holes of her third round, the Trojans quickly cut into the 21-shot deficit, slicing the Keiser advantage to just eight shots during the first five holes of the final round. However, the Seahawks responded with a handful of birdies to close the front nine and build the lead back to a comfortable margin.
As Friday's final round came to a close the Trojans clung to a slim one shot advantage over Southeastern for second place. Senior Annie Stimmel drained a 6-foot hard-breaking par putt on the final hole to secure the runner-up finish for the Trojans.
"Watching Annie make that slider on the last hole to secure our runner-up finish will be something all of us will always remember," Andry said. "That was a cool moment and one that will live in Taylor golf lore."
The runner-up finish marked a special ending for the group of five seniors. During their careers they have lifted the Taylor women's golf program to an NAIA national power. The Trojans have claimed four consecutive Crossroads League titles and have made the cut at the NAIA National Championship in three straight trips, including a fifth place finish in 2019 and the runner-up finish this season.
The Trojans have won 30 tournaments since fifth-year seniors Maddie Thomas and Annie Stimmel arrived on campus in the fall of 2016 and the Taylor women's golf record books have been completely re-written over that span of time.
"Coaching this team has been one of the greatest honors of my life," Andry added. "I love each of them dearly and I'm so proud of them, not just for their golf but, more importantly, for the Godly servant leaders they are."