PHOENIX, Ariz. – The DSU golf teams travel to Papago Golf Club this week for the Frontier Conference Championships, where All-Conference honors and a berth to the NAIA Golf National Championship are at stake in a 54-hole tournament format.
The championship will be played on the par-72 layout at Papago Golf Club, with 36 holes scheduled Tuesday followed by a final 18-hole round Wednesday. The event serves as the conference's automatic qualifying opportunity, with one team and one individual advancing to nationals from both the men's and women's divisions respectively, scheduled for May 12–15 at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Illinois.
Dickinson State enters the conference championship following strong play at its home event earlier this month. The Blue Hawk women captured the team title at the DSU Spring Invitational behind a medalist performance from Brooklyn Materi, while the men's team placed third with multiple top-10 finishes.
Materi led the women with a two-round total of 153 (+9) to secure individual medalist honors at Heart River Golf Course. Camille Poncin added a fourth-place finish, while Jori Haugen and Ellia Soydara each placed inside the top six as Dickinson State placed four golfers among the top six finishers in the field.
On the men's side, Tyus Thomas paced Dickinson State with a runner-up finish at 148 (+4), while Torrin Ellis tied for seventh. Jayce Johnson and Sam Lewton each finished tied for 10th as the Blue Hawks posted a third-place team finish against regional competition.
Head coach Thadd O'Donnell said the focus entering the conference championship will center on preparation and maintaining a consistent mental approach throughout the extended format.
"Both teams have had some great success this year in terms of play and with one senior on each team it will give us an experience for the next few years but the focus is as always, to step into each shot with a clear picture of what they want to do and trust their swing," O'Donnell said. "Staying focused for a couple holes is pretty easy but playing 36 holes over an 8+ hr day is a huge challenge. It comes down to their mental approach. I think they are prepared and ready to play."
The Frontier Conference Championships represent the final opportunity for Dickinson State to secure an automatic team berth to nationals, while individuals also have a chance to qualify based on their finish. In addition to national qualifying implications, the event will determine All-Conference selections based on tournament performance.
Papago Golf Club presents a different test from the Blue Hawks' recent competition schedule, requiring consistency across three rounds against conference opponents in a championship setting.
Live scoring throughout the tournament will be available through Scoreboard by CLIPD.
