WARREN, Ohio – For the third time in program history, the Nova Southeastern Sharks Men’s Golf team has won the NCAA Division II National Championship. The Sharks defeated Oklahoma Christian 3-2 in the final round of match play from the Avalon Lakes Golf Course.
NSU Men’s Golf previously has won the National Championship in 2012 and 2015. The men’s golf national title is the third NCAA Division II National Championship that NSU has won during the 2022-23 season, joining the Women’s Swimming and Men’s Basketball programs. The national championship is the 11th team national championship in Nova Southeastern University athletics history.
After trailing by just one-stroke after eight holes, Josep Serra recorded a par on nine, while Oklahoma Christian’s Armijo double-bogeyed the hole, giving Serra the lead. Serra maintained his advantage throughout the back-nine, earning a one stroke victory for the first NSU point.
Michael Hay provided a steady performance throughout the championship match, entering the back-nine tied with OCU’s Pulcini. With just two holes remaining, Hay approached the tee box on 17 trailing by two strokes. Hay, unbothered by the pressure, easily parred 17 before finishing off an incredible birdie putt on 18 to seal the second match point for the Sharks, putting NSU at the cusp of the title.
Will O’Neill’s match-up didn’t need the same level of dramatics as Hay’s contest. O’Neill concluded his collegiate career in dominating fashion. After the front-nine, O’Neill led by three strokes but after the 12th hole, O’Neill’s lead reached nine strokes and he led by as many as 17. O’Neill clinched the third and decisive point in the Sharks national championship victory, finishing off NSU Men’s Golf third national title.
