
RAPID CITY, S.D. - Ashford University's Jordan Davis (81-79-83-83--326) closed her historic week at the NAIA Women's Golf National Championships on Friday, firing a final-round tally of 83. She finished her first national tournament appearance in a tie for 36th after earning an exemption as the Midwest Collegiate Conference champion.
Oklahoma City University ran its streak of NAIA national titles to five, pulling away from the field with a 33-stroke victory. Oklahoma City's Sydney Cox (74) edged out her teammate Ashley Sholer (74) by three strokes for the individual title.
It was a memorable week for Davis, the first golfer in Ashford history to qualify for NAIA tourney. She cleared the 54-hole cut at the conclusion of Thursday's third round as a top-40 individual and was as high as 22nd in the original 144-player field.
"It was a great week and a lot of fun," she said. "I'm worn out mentally and a little drained, but I gave it my best shot. I made my goal of making the cut and am glad my last day of playing was today."
"As a coach, I couldn't be more proud of her," Josh Davis said. "Jordan did all the work and I was along for the ride. Getting a taste of the national tournament will make her hungry for next year."
Davis was in the same pairing as MCC Player of the Year Kelly Jansen of
Davis was efficient through the front nine and left no putts longer than 10 feet, carding six pars to sit at 3-over going into the turn at Meadowbrook Golf Course. She ran into a bit of trouble on the back nine, battling choppy winds with occasional rain.
"It was smooth sailing through the front nine," she said. "I was playing very consistent using all my clubs, but I couldn't really get anything going on the back nine."
Davis will still be near the links this summer as she works at the Clinton Country Club while attending various open gyms to get ready for the new basketball season. She has aspirations to make a return trip to the hills of South Dakota, expressing a newfound determination and dedication to her game.
"It was nice to know that I could compete outside the conference," Davis said. "It gives me more confidence heading into the fall and makes me want to work that much harder throughout the summer because I know what it takes to get back here."