FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The #NSU50 "Top Moments in NSU Athletics History" continues with the 19th moment on the list: Nova Southeastern men's golf wins first Sunshine State Conference Championship. 
The NSU golf program is one of the most decorated collegiate golf programs over the last decade. However, 10 seasons ago the Knights were still transitioning from being an NAIA power to a competitor in the toughest region in NCAA Division II. NSU began their rise to prominence with the men's first SSC title in the spring of 2005.
 
At the beginning of the spring semester, NSU Director of Athletics Michael Mominey announced the hiring of Kevin Marsh. Marsh had previously worked as the lead instructor at the Academy of Golf at PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. Marsh had his hands full early, inheriting two teams that combined for one senior and two juniors (The senior being former All-American and current NSU women's head coach Amanda Brown).

"To start with, the talent was there," stated Marsh. "For the most part, the men's golf team was without a head coach for the fall season so starting the spring season putting a structure in place with team workouts, practice sessions and setting goals certainly helped."
 
The men's team would have its growing pains throughout the season, as it faced the toughest competition the South Region had to offer. The Knights only had one spring regular season top-five finish, and it was a third-place showing at their own tournament. Entering the SSC Championship, the Knights were coming off a ninth-place finish at the Stanislaus Invitational.

"We knew we had to win the SSC Championship to earn an automatic bid to regionals," said Marsh. "Qualifying for regionals for the first time ever was the No. 1 goal at the start of the spring season. Our goal was to prepare and improve during the spring season and put everything in place to be playing our best at the SSC Championship." 
 
The goal was reached, as everything clicked for NSU in the conference tournament. NSU led from start to finish in its inaugural appearance in the conference championship, firing a three-round total of 883 (299-290-294) to win by 16 strokes over second-place Florida Southern (299-304-296=899).
 
The Knights were led to victory by junior Josh Green and freshman Martin Styf who were named to the All-Tournament Team after finishing in a tie for third and fifth, respectively. Green shot an even-par 216 (73-72-71) to finish tied for third, while Styf had the highest finish of his career in fifth after a 54-hole total of 3-over-par 219 (74-71-74).
 
The golf team would rack up individual honors for their strong finish. Styf was named SSC Freshman of the Year while Stephen Conrad would receive All-Sunshine State Conference First Team honors.

"Winning the 2005 SSC Championship was the first checkmark on the list for what we wanted to accomplish longterm for the men's program," Marsh said. "Our goals were to be ranked No. 1 in the country, win the SSC Championship, qualify for regionals, qualify for Nationals and win the NCAA National Championship. Winning the 2005 SSC Championship showed all of these goals were possible."
 
Over the next seven years, the men's golf team would capture four more SSC Championships. Three years later, the women's team would win their first SSC title and one year later, would start a streak of four straight NCAA National Championships. The men would complete Marsh's list of long-term goals in 2012 by winning the NCAA National Championship. 

Check back with NSUSharks.com next Tuesday for the next #NSU50 "Top Moments in NSU Athletics History."

Moment No. 1: NSU Athletics is Born
Moment No. 2: Knights Chosen as School Mascot
Moment No. 3: Hansley Hired as Director of Athletics
Moment No. 4: Nova Adds Four Sports
Moment No. 5: Nova Joins NAIA
Moment No. 6: Nova Adds Three More Teams
Moment No. 7: Nova Helps Form FIAC
Moment No. 8: Nova Wins First Conference Championship
Moment No. 9: Baseball and Volleyball Win First Conference Titles
Moment No. 10: NSU Adds Softball
Moment No. 11: NSU Adds Women's Soccer and Wins FSC Tournament Championship
Moment No. 12: NSU Names Ray Ferrero Jr. as School's Fifth President
Moment No. 13: NSU Adds Women's Basketball and Wins Conference Title in First Season
Moment No. 14: NSU Jumps to NCAA Division II and Sunshine State Conference
Moment No. 15: Kyle Ruwe Becomes NSU's First NCAA All-American
Moment No. 16: NSU adds Rowing, Tennis and Men's Cross Country
Moment No. 17: NSU Breaks Ground on University Center
Moment No. 18: Rembe Becomes NSU's First Female NCAA All-American

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