AU Men’s Golf Wins Its Fourth NACC Title in Its ‘Grittiest’ Year Yet

Aurora University men’s golf had a banner year in 2021, in spite of the challenges brought on by the pandemic. The team won the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference championship for the fourth year in row and earned another bid to the NCAA Division III Men’s Golf Championship.

In the NACC championship, the Spartans won by 26 strokes. Teammates Jack Vercautren, a junior, and Scott Boyajian, a sophomore, battled for first place. Vercautren eventually edged ahead, placing first by one stroke. Vercautren was named NACC Player of the Year and NACC All-Conference, while Boyajian and senior Noah Hogue earned NACC All-Conference honors.

Head coach Justin Wyeth, who was named the NACC’s Golf Coach of the Year, said that this year’s championship was the team’s grittiest. The pandemic made the season feel more uncertain, as tournaments could be disrupted by positive COVID-19 tests.

“You never knew what was going to happen the next weekend,” said Wyeth. “The whole team had to handle business and stay competitive. I really appreciate what they did.”

The team finished the season winning seven out of its 11 tournaments, and securing an invitation to the 2021 NCAA Championships in Wheeling, West Virginia. After a tough first day in the NCAA tournament, the team played brilliantly on day two. But in the end, they missed the next round by one stroke.

“Missing by one stroke is heartbreaking,” Wyeth said. “Every guy was looking at himself and figuring out what he could have done better. But overall, it was very exciting to be there. We want to be back. That’s where we can make a name for ourselves. We’re pumped.”

Spartan Vercautren advanced deeper into the tournament as an individual player, the first in AU and NACC history to do so. Vercautren had a final score of 302 and came in tied for 40th place in the tournament.

The men’s golf team faced its next big test in September at the NCAA Division III National Fall Preview in Florida, the team’s first invitation to this prestigious event. The tournament hosts the top 25 teams in the nation, and the Spartans made a strong showing, shooting a three-round 900 and finishing 17th.

Wyeth’s philosophy is that no matter the score, the team never loses, but learns. Even in losses — heartbreakers by one stroke included — the team receives invaluable lessons.

“Ultimately, I just want to give them the best student-athlete experience possible,” said Wyeth.