FINAL RESULTS

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ohio – Try and use whatever superlative you might think of in describing how the 2022 Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) Women's Golf Championships played out, and it still won't do justice. That's how wild the ending was between Otterbein and Ohio Northern at River Greens Golf Course Sunday afternoon with everything on the line.

By the time it was all said and done, the Cardinals narrowly emerged by one stroke (in sudden death) to hold off defending champ ONU on a 19th hole in a raucous winner-take-all format. All five players in both lineups took the 10th tee, with the top-four scores counting toward a cumulative winning decision. Otterbein would go on to prevail by one shot, with senior Viv George clinching the day on a five-foot putt that erupted a memorable celebration.

"I was astounded at how confident, calm and happy they were to be in that setting," said head coach Brian Booher, ordering double macaroni as his sides at City BBQ while doing this interview. "Most of them were coming off a few bad holes… but instantly hit the reset button. They were still having fun and ready to go in that playoff. It was impressive."

The triumph marks the 10th conference title in program history for Otterbein and first since 2015. Ironically enough, that win seven years ago also came via the exact same playoff format.

As a result, Otterbein earns the league's automatic bid to compete at the NCAA Championships come May 10-13 at Bay Oaks Country Club in Houston, Texas.

Senior Lyndsay Blum (76-80-80) paved the way as co-medalist and nearly went wire-to-wire as the individual champion, instead tying with ONU standout Grace Honigford (83-77-76) after the Polar Bear sophomore delivered a late rally. She made up eight strokes over the last 11 holes, birdieing the last in regulation to force a deadlock.

"Grace was playing really well and I was on a bogey train," said Blum, who made a clutch nine-foot putt for par on the last to force the playoff, unknowingly at the time. "I was just trying to keep it together without knowing how anyone else was doing. But I played well all weekend and stuck with the game plan."

Before the team playoff, both coaches agreed for their stars to share medalist honors… considering the duo would be subject to a head-to-head matchup after someone had just lost the group showdown.

The entire event became a two-horse race rather early. Otterbein led by five after each of the initial two rounds, as the schools created massive breathing room of 65-70 strokes over third place (Mount Union) by Sunday.

Otterbein held a double-digit lead entering the back nine before ONU came charging hard. The top-eight finishers on the player leaderboard were from one of the two schools.

"Everyone did a great job refocusing," Blum said. "I immediately started crying and was overcome with emotion when Viv sank the putt. It's so awesome to see hard work over four years come to fruition. We will celebrate for now and then get back to practice. Most of us haven't even been to Texas before, let alone play in the NCAA's. But we will be ready."

Rachel Hatley (80-79-86) overcame a tough third round to still finish alone in third. Jackie Adler (82-81-83) was fourth by herself and Emma McGreal (84-84-81) took seventh individually. George bounced back from a challenging Friday/Saturday, culminating with an 84 as the entire lineup earned All-OAC status. A total of 45 players from nine schools took part in the event, which now has its third different winner in as many showings.

"There were many fitting moments, but especially for our two seniors," Booher added. "Seeing Lyndsay perform the way she did in her final OAC event was awesome. Viv had a tough start this weekend and we had some good talks coming into today. Watching her making that final putt was the ideal script. It was a perfect bookend for them to cap this off after all they've been through."

The Cardinals will now have two weeks off before teeing up at nationals in The Lone Star State. Remain locked in to otterbeincardinals.com and all of our social media outlets for continued coverage!