Blue Mountain Christian University’s No. 12 men’s golf team will head to Silvis, Illinois, next week to compete in the 74th NAIA Men’s Golf National Championship at TPC Deere Run, the school announced Friday. The tournament is scheduled for May 12-15 and will feature 29 teams and 11 individuals. BMCU earned an at-large bid for its second-ever appearance in the event after a season that included matches against several NAIA Top 10 programs.
“Making the NAIA National Championship Tournament is a tremendous accomplishment for our men’s golf program,” head coach Kevin Barefield said. “This team has worked incredibly hard all year, stayed committed through every challenge and represented Blue Mountain Christian University the right way. I’m very proud of these young men and excited they will get the opportunity to compete against the best teams in the country.”
The program reached its highest national ranking in school history this year, rising as high as eighth in March, the school said. BMCU Athletic Director Curt Fowler said the coaches’ work has helped the team develop into a contender. “We have watched this team continually improve and become a national contender,” Fowler said. “That’s not by chance, because Coach Barefield and Coach (Cam) Kohl have invested everything it takes to make this program what it is.”
BMCU President Dr. Barbara McMillin praised the team’s work ethic and said she expects them to represent the university well. “We are incredibly excited about the accomplishments of our BMCU men’s golf team,” she said. Full coverage of the championship is available on the BMCU athletics website and the program’s social media channels. We will provide more information as it becomes available.
