It was 155 to the flag. Into a howling wind and a sideways rain. Uphill. I widened my stance, firmed my grip on a 5 iron, and unleashed a majestic lash that sent my ball knifing through the elements, plunging onto the green just a mere 10 inches from the hole for another tap-in birdie. 14 under. We were cookin’!
Well, maybe not. The truth is it wasn’t quite like that at the 9th annual WV NCAC golf outing, held April 25 at Westfields Golf Club in Clifton. At least not the parts about being 10 inches from the cup and going to 14 under. But the wind and the rain, that happened, but not even those challenges could keep the field of 64 golfers, numerous volunteers, and Mountaineer Mascot Michael Garcia from enjoying another great day of golf and fun with fellow Gold and Blue faithful.
Among the highlights of the day included a special appearance by WVU Athletic Director Oliver Luck, who joined the golfers for the post-round dinner, which was sponsored by Capital Caring. Luck talked about the Mountaineers continuing adjustment to the Big 12, the West Virginia football prospects for the fall, and the changing landscape of college athletics. In particular, it is Luck’s belief that the Big 12 is one of the ‘highly visible’ conferences in college athletics that in the future will continue to be a part of the NCAA, but will operate under a different set of rules and regulations.
We were also pleased to have a couple of VIPs join us from the Mountaineer football coaching staff. Quincy Wilson, Assistant Director of Football Operations and former WVU football running back, and Anthony Leonard, a graduate assistant coach and former WVU football linebacker, took their best shots at the Westfields lay-out and made the day even more special for their team and the field.
The winning team of the tournament was comprised of Marc Yester, Devin McCreery, Mike Myers, and Sean Sexstone, and they’ll represent WVU at the Acura College Alumni Team Championship In Pinehurst, NC later this summer. More than $6,000 in proceeds from the NCAC tournament will be used to help fund the chapter’s ongoing scholarship support of WVU students and student-athletes from the Washington, DC area.
The NCAC sincerely thanks the golfers who braved the conditions, as well as the many sponsors whose participation is integral to the event’s success. This year’s Hole Sponsors included Sunstone Counseling in Falls Church, VA, Long and Foster- Kristine Condie, RE/Max- Shaun Murphy, Ragtime/Rhodeside/Dogwood Tavern/William Jeffery’s, The Hill, and Mike’s Flooring Company. RLM CPA was the Lunch Sponsor, and Capital Caring supported the tournament with its sponsorship of dinner.