George Fox University started its women’s golf team only 17 years ago, but that hasn’t stopped its players from making history.
On May 12, 2023, the team won the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) Division Three Women’s Golf Championship.
WOMEN’S FOUNDATION OF OREGON EVERY MONTH, WE’RE BRINGING YOU STORIES FROM THE INSPIRINWOMEN AND GIRLS OF SPORTS. GEORGE FOX STARTED >>> EVERY MONTH WE ARE BRINGING YOU STORIES FROM THE INSPIRING WOMEN AND GIRLS OF SPORTS. >> GEORGE FOX STARTED HIS
WOMEN’S GOLF TEAM 17 YEARS AGO AND THAT HASN’T STOPPED PLAYERS FROM MAKING HISTORY. EVEN THOUGH GOLF IS INDIVIDUAL SPORT THIS TEAM SAYS THEY WENT TOGETHER. >> THE 2023 NATIONAL CHAMPION FINISHING WITH A SCORE OF 933 STROKES. >> Reporter: MAY 12, 2023.
A DAY MARY JO McCLOSKEY WILL NEVER FORGET. >> GEORGE FOX UNIVERSITY. >> Reporter: BEATING THE ODDS, HER TEAM WON THE NCAA DIVISION III WOMEN’S GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP. >> PEOPLE THOUGHT WE COULD NEVER DO IT FOR MORGAN BECAUSE OF ALL THE RAIN AND EVERYTHING
WE HAVE GOING ON HERE. AND WE ARE COMPLETING — COMPETING AGAINST CALIFORNIA SCHOOLS AND TEXAS. GETTING IT DONE ISSUCH AN AMAZING ACCOMPLISHMENT FOR EVERYONE. >> Reporter: THAT VICTORY WAS SWEET. AND NOT JUST BECAUSE OF THE MASSIVE TROPHY. HER COCAPTAINS MacKENZIE AND
ALLISON SAY WINNING THAT TITLE WAS SPECIAL BECAUSE THE TEAM DID IT TOGETHER. >> THIS LAST YEAR WINNING THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP TOGETHER AS A TEAM WAS ONE OF E MOST SPECIAL MOMENTS WE’VE HAD. >> I WAS THE LAST ONE IN THE GROUP.
AS SOON AS I MADE IT EVYONE RUSHED TOWARD ME WITH WATER BOTTLES AND STARTED SPRAYING ME AND EACH OTHER. THEN WE ALL GAVE EACH OTHER A BIG HUG. IT WAS LIKE, WOW, WE DID IT. >> Reporter: THEY BOTH HAVE DREAMS OF GOING PRO.
AND THEY KNOW FOR ANY FUTURE SUCCESS THEY HAVE ON THEIR OWN FOUNDATION WAS BUILT RIGHT HERE. >> IT’S REALLY COOL TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE AROUND A BUNCH OF WOMEN WHO INSPIRE EVERY DAY TO GET BETTER AND WE KIND OF INSPIRE EACH OTHER TO
GET BETTER TOGETHER. >> Reporter: COACH McCLOSKEY BELIEVES THAT CONNECTION IS KEY TO HER TEAM’S SUCCESS. >> WE CARE ABOUT EACH OTHER. AND IT’S NOT ABOUT I WANT TO BEAT YOU, I WANT TO BEAT YOU. ‘S ABOUT ALL OF US DOING THIS TOGETHER.
>> Reporter: WHAT IS JUST AS IMPORTANT AS SUPPORTING TEAMMATES IS GIVING THAT SUPPORT YOURSELF. IT’S SOMETHING COACH McCLOSKEY WRITES ABOUT IN HER BOOK, “WHEN GIRLS WIN.” >> IN ORDER FOR THOSE THINGS TO COME OUT YOU HAVE TO SAY GREAT THINGS ABOUT YOURSELF.
THAT’S REALLY WHAT I WANT PEOPLE TO GET OUT OF MY BOOK. I WANT THEM TO REALIZE THAT WE GET IN OUR OWN WAY SO MUCH. >> Reporter: WITH AN NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP UNDER THEIR BELT IT’S EASY TO SAY NOTHINIS GETTING IN THEIR WAY.
>>> KATU IS PARTNERING WITH A NONPROFIT SPORT OREGON TO UPLIFT GIRLS AND WOMEN IN SPORTS. ALL AROUND US. E ATHLETES ARE YOU MAY EVEN NO ONE. LET US KNOW WH
