Nation's best college golfers take center stage at OKC Golf & Country Club
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) - The country's best college golfers are teeing off in Oklahoma City as they finish up the Jackson T. Stephens Cup. Both the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University are among the top teams in the field.
"Oklahoma is such a great golf state with such a great history,” Senior Vice President Tournament Director of Sports Sponsorship Curtis Jeffries said. “The people here, the members, the staff, the professors, angels have just welcomed us with open arms."
The tournament was formed in 2019 and named after the late Augusta National Golf Club Chairman Jackson T. Stephens.
"He didn't pick up golf until later in life,” Jeffries said. "But he loved what it taught and the values of playing golf. And you're actually playing the course, having fun with your friends."
Six men’s and six women’s teams take part. One of each men and women’s squads are ranked #1 in the country, that being the University of Oklahoma’s men’s team and University of Arkansas’s women’s team. A few of those teams also have the #1 ranked individual ranked players in the nation. Florida State University has both the #1 ranked male and female golfer in the World Amateur Golf Ranking. Meanwhile, the University of Arkansas has the #1 ranked female in the women’s college rankings.
The tournament also includes six men’s and women’s individual golfers from HBCU’s and U.S. Service Academies.
"We had coaches calling us from around the country,” Jeffries said speaking about that becoming a stipulation when the tournament formed.
It’s a chance for all of them to compete against the best and be the best as Oklahoma City sits at the center of the collegiate golfing showcase.
"It's fabulous golf,” Jeffries said.
The tournament finishes up individual competition Tuesday to crown individual champions. The top four men’s and women’s teams will advance to play 18 holes Wednesday to determine the team champions.