Freshman phenom highlights inaugural winners of Black College Golf Coaches Association Awards

College of Charleston’s Kieron Van Wyk stole the show.

Black college golfers across all divisions will now be honored with the BCGCA Awards thanks to a partnership with the Black College Golf Coaches Association and Golf Coaches Association of America.

College of Charleston’s Kieron Van Wyk earned the Adrian Stills Award as the Black College Golfer of the Year after becoming the first Black golfer in Colonial Athletic Association history to win medalist honors at the league championship.

Howard’s Gregory Odom Jr. was named HBCU Golfer of the Year and picked up consecutive wins to end his season at the MEAC Championship and PGA Works Championship.

A pair of teammates highlight the BCGCA All-America Team with Drexel’s Jeffrey Cunningham and Tafadzwa Nyamukondiwa and Howard’s Odom Jr. and Everett Whiten Jr., as well as Van Wyk, Javan Johnson (Taylor), Steve Kibare (Dalton State), Quinn Riley (Duke), Kristopher Stiles (San Jose State) and Troy Taylor II (Michigan State).

Van Wyk earned his third honor as the BCGCA Outstanding Freshman, with Kci Lindskog (Texas Southern) as the HBCU Outstanding Freshman. The pair were also named to the BCGCA All-Freshmen Team alongside Florida A&M teammates Tyler Partee and Miles Taylor and Chicago State’s Camron Jones.

VCU’s Andy Walker was named BCGCA Coach of The Year, with Gary Grandison from Texas Southern earning HBCU Coach of the Year honors.

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College Performers of the Week powered by Rapsodo: Kieron van Wyk, College of Charleston

College of Charleston’s Kieron van Wyk notched his first victory as a collegian on March 20 at the Schenkel Invitational.

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College of Charleston’s Kieron van Wyk notched his first victory as a collegian on March 20 at the Schenkel Invitational. The freshman from Ruimsig, South Africa, fired rounds of 66-68-70 at Forest Heights Country Club in Statesboro, Georgia, and edged a pair of players from the host team, Georgia Southern.

Van Wyk led the Cougars to third place as a team.

Before arriving in Charleston, van Wyk competed primarily in South Africa. But he took to college golf quickly, ending his fall season with a runner-up finish at the Daniel Island Collegiate. He represented his country at the Spirit International Amateur over the winter break and started the spring with a fourth-place finish at the Sea Best Invitational.

Key in van Wyk’s Schenkel victory was an opening bogey-free round of 66. He also led the field with 17 birdies.

Golfweek/Sagarin Rankings: Men’s team | Men’s individual
College golf blog: The Road to Grayhawk

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