CCU Men’s Golf Falls by One Stroke in Tiebreaker at NCAA DII Championship
LAKEWOOD, Colo. — In a finish as narrow as they come, Colorado Christian University’s (CCU) men’s golf team fell one stroke short of repeating as NCAA Division II national champions on Friday, concluding a historic season as national runners-up.
Facing the University of West Florida in the championship match at PGA National Resort, the Cougars — undefeated against Division II opponents all season — battled through adversity, lightning delays, and pressure-packed holes before the title was decided on the 10th hole of a sudden-death team playoff.
The runner-up finish caps a historic campaign for the Cougars. CCU won 10 tournaments this season, including a first-place finish in the stroke-play portion of the championship and the program’s first NCAA West/South Central Regional title earlier this month. The Cougars also compiled a 130-0 record against Division II competition entering Friday’s match. With the match tied 2.5–2.5 through five medal-match play pairings, both teams replayed the 10th hole, counting the four best scores. West Florida’s 5-under edged CCU’s 4-under by a single stroke.
“Though the final margin was just one stroke, the legacy this team leaves behind is far greater than any single scoreboard could capture,” said Colorado Christian University President Eric Hogue. “Their sportsmanship in victory and grace in defeat reflect what we believe athletics at CCU is all about — representing Christ well on every course, court, and field of play.”
More than just numbers, this team rewrote the script for what it means to win — playing not for headlines but for something higher. Throughout the tournament, CCU’s players were seen praying with one another and with opponents, offering a testimony of unity and humility that stood out as much as their shotmaking.
“We get to play a different game than other teams,” said RMAC Golfer of the Year Adam Duncan. “Whether we win or lose, we get to do this amazing thing we’re called to do and give it our all. It’s not the end-all, be-all — our value isn’t in the outcome, but in who we are as people, as a team, and as a school.”
The Cougars’ historic season was marked by numerous individual honors. Four players—Adam Duncan, Sungyeop Cho, Sangha Park, and Xavier Bighaus — were named Ping All-Americans, with Duncan also earning RMAC Golfer of the Year and chosen to represent Team USA in the 2025 Arnold Palmer Cup — a prestigious Ryder Cup-style tournament featuring top collegiate golfers from around the world. Head Coach Mark Hull was recognized as RMAC Coach of the Year for the third consecutive season. Academically, Peyton Jones and Ben Fowler earned First Team Academic All-RMAC honors, reflecting the team’s excellence both on the course and in the classroom.
“What this group of men has built this season goes far beyond titles,” said Jonathan Poag, CCU athletic director. “From the RMAC Championship to the NCAA finals, they competed with excellence and a deep commitment to honoring the Lord. We are incredibly proud of their legacy and grateful for the way they’ve represented Colorado Christian University across the nation.”
About Colorado Christian University
Founded in 1914 and located in Lakewood, Colorado, Colorado Christian University is the premier interdenominational Christian university in the Rocky Mountain region. Committed to Christ-centered higher education, CCU integrates faith and learning across more than 100 academic programs and is consistently ranked among the top universities nationwide for its core curriculum and Christ-centered academic excellence. CCU Athletics competes in NCAA Division II as a member of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC), where its student-athletes are known not only for their competitive success but for representing Christ on and off the field.