#19 Women's Golf | 6/10/2022 9:13:00 AM
OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma City University has announced that Natalie Gough will return to the women's golf program for another season of competition in 2022-23.
Gough, from Bixby, Okla., graduated with her business administration degree from OCU. Gough intends to pursue her master's of business administration, play her fifth season of eligibility in the coming season, then join the Oklahoma City coaching staff as a graduate assistant.
Gough became the 10th four-time women's golf all-American in program history. Gough owns three NAIA all-American nods and two Women's Golf Coaches Association accolades.
"Natalie is one of the most important student-athletes in the history of our women's golf program," OCU coach Marty McCauley said. "Her returning to OCU is a remarkable testament to the culture of our program and what we promote daily which is a family atmosphere and support for one another, and I know she will be an amazing asset to help lead our young team for the next two years."
Gough accumulated three Sooner Athletic Conference player of the year honors, four all-conference nods, three all-tournament awards in the SAC Championships, four SAC player of the week accolades and all-tournament in the 2021 NAIA Championships in her career. Gough, a senior from Bixby, Okla., supplied OCU with a 74.19 stroke average, which ranks as the third best single-season scoring average by a Star. Gough had eight top-five finishes this season with her third career victory in the Coqui Classic on Nov. 1-2 in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico. Gough's career scoring average of 75.63 in 92 rounds ranks sixth in program history.
"I especially wanted to stay because I love the team so much, and I'm excited to have another year playing with them," Gough said. "The OCU team has a dynamic that you wouldn't be able to find at any other school. I'm mostly excited to be a part of such a strong team for another year. These girls killed it last year, and I can't wait to be teammates with them again."
In 2021-22, Oklahoma City captured eight wins to tie for the second most victories in a season while capturing the program's 17th conference title. OCU notched the top team round (272, Rose Creek Classic, Oct. 4-5), best 36-hole score twice (560, Southwestern Christian Invitational, Sept. 7-8; Sydney Cox Invitational, Oct. 11-12) and the top five 54-hole scores (846, Rose Creek Classic) in team history. The Stars established the single-season team scoring average record with a 292.25 team stroke average to top the 2016-17 squad's 305.96 as well as the most birdies (406) in program history.
The Stars have won eight national titles (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2013, 2014 and 2017).
