OCU Golf Wins 12th Title Before Program Ends

OCU men's golf team won their 12th national championship on May 15, 2026. This is a historic win as the program is being shut down.
By Newsroom | Sports, College Athletics |

On Friday, May 15, 2026, the Oklahoma City University (OCU) men’s golf team secured its 12th NAIA national championship at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Illinois. Senior Christian Yanovitch claimed the individual title, marking a final, historic milestone for a program that is currently slated for permanent termination.

The university administration confirmed the discontinuation of both the men’s and women’s golf programs effective at the end of the 2025-2026 academic year. Despite the impending closure, the team successfully competed to capture their 12th title, distancing their record further from the next most successful program, Texas Wesleyan.

Competitive Context

The performance at TPC Deere Run served as a closing chapter for a program that has long functioned as a cornerstone of the school's athletic identity.

  • Team Performance: Head coach Blake Trimble led the squad to victory despite the active announcement of the program's elimination.

  • Individual Honors: Christian Yanovitch maintained a 2-under-par performance over the final seven holes to secure his victory.

  • Support Cast: Carter Ray finished tied for fifth, while Cameron Boyzk, Lorenzo Santinelli, and Jack Newton rounded out the tournament roster.

Institutional Rationalization

The decision to dissolve the golf program centers on internal cost structures.

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University leadership cited the financial burden of golf practice and competitive logistics as the primary drivers for the closure. This administrative move effectively ends the legacy of a program that has contributed 19 of the university’s 73 total national championships.

Historical Footprint

Oklahoma City University has historically billed itself as the "Home of Champions." With the men’s program holding 12 titles and the women’s program holding seven, the golf department represented a significant portion of the institution's athletic pedigree.

Prior to this season, Blake Trimble and women’s coach Gorzney were vocal about their desire to leverage the program's competitive momentum, even as they navigated the instability caused by the November 2025 announcement of the program's liquidation. As of today, barring an unforeseen reversal by the university’s governing board, the victory at TPC Deere Run marks the final major competitive achievement for the university in the sport of golf.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did Oklahoma City University men's golf win a national title on May 15, 2026?
The team won their 12th NAIA national championship at TPC Deere Run. This victory happened just before the university ends the golf programs.
Q: Why is Oklahoma City University ending its golf programs?
The university administration is closing the men's and women's golf programs because of high costs related to golf practice and competition.
Q: Who won the individual title for OCU at the national championship?
Senior Christian Yanovitch won the individual title. He finished the final seven holes at 2-under-par to secure his win.
Q: What does this mean for OCU's golf legacy?
This win is the final major achievement for OCU golf, as the program, which has won 12 men's and 7 women's titles, will be discontinued. It ends a significant part of the university's athletic history.