Behind the leadership of 2002 All-American Hunter Mahan, the Oklahoma State University golf team will be seeking the university’s 10th national championship.
Mahan, a McKinny, Texas native, was named the 2002 Big 12 Player of the Year as well as being selected to the U.S. Amateur and Palmer Cup teams.
During the summer of 2002, Mahan made an impressive run at the U.S. Amateur Championship, making it to the title match where he was defeated by Ricky Barnes.
In his second season with the Cowboys, Mahan set the ninth-best stroke average in NCAA history with an impressive 70.51 average. In addition, Mahan also set the OSU 18-hole scoring recording by firing a 10-under 62 during the second round of the U.S. Collegiate tournament.
Mahan also posted three individual victories last year with first place finishes at the Jerry Pate Collegiate Tournament, his first victory as a Cowboy, the Ping Arizona Intercollegiate Tournament, and at the U.S. Collegiate Tournament.
This year, Mahan has his eyes set on team success.
“Our goals of winning a national championship are a little more clear this year,” Mahan said. “We feel a lot more confident than last year when we were a little young, starting some freshmen and sophomores. This year our team is really clicking and it’s exciting o be a part of that.”
Experience and confidence may not be the only thing fueling the Cowboy’s national championship hopes. Familiarity may also play a huge role for the Cowboy’s this year. Karsten Creek, the Cowboy’s home course, will be the venue for the 2003 NCAA Tournament.
Mahan said that the Cowboy golf team is looking forward to hosting the tournament. “Having the national tournament there is a once in a lifetime opportunity — it’s something really special,” Mahan said. “We’re just going to take full advantage of that.”
Mahan, who began his collegiate career at the University of Southern California, said that he felt privileged to be playing for such a tradition-rich school such as OSU.
Mahan said that while it was a lot of pressure to continue the winning tradition for OSU golf, he felt that it wouldn’t be the same without that pressure.
“It’s a pressure that if you don’t have, then you’re missing out on something in college golf and to have that is an awesome thing,” Mahan said.
Putting some of that pressure on the Cowboy golf team will be legendary OSU golf coach Mike Holder. Holder, who has seen his share of success in the Cowboy golf program, is entering his thirtieth season as head coach of the Cowboy golf team.
During the Holder era, OSU golf has separated itself from the rest of the collegiate golf programs in the country and boasts a long list of NCAA Championship awards.
Under Holder, Cowboy golf teams have posted 26 Top-10 finishes, 25 top-five finishes, 18 top-three finishes, 17 top-two finishes, eight championships and five individual championships.
Mahan said that the Cowboy golf team is prepared to add to the list of NCAA Championship awards.
“I think we’ll be in contention for a lot of tournaments, When it (NCAA tournament) comes in May, I think we’ll be ready to go.”
Ryan Sharp can be reached
via e-mail at
sports@ocolly.com
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