July 10, 2006

OLATHE, Kan. - The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) awarded Lake San Marcos Country Club and the San Diego International Sports Council the 2007 and 2008 NAIA Women's Golf National Championships. The 13th Annual NAIA Women's Golf National Championships will be contested May 15-18 while the 2008 event will be May 20-23.

"We are extremely pleased to bring the 2007 and 2008 Championships to the West Coast for the first time in the history of the event," says Joe Moeller, President of the San Diego International Sports Council.  "It will be a terrific weeklong event with over 120 student-athletes, coaches, family and friends competing for both individual and team titles."

California State University-San Marcos will serve as the host institution during the event. Lake San Marcos Country Club's par 72, 6000 yard layout offers a strategic test for golfers of all abilities. The course has a perfect mixture of flat and hilly terrain and contains tree-lined Bermuda fairways and bent grass greens.  

"Cal State San Marcos is thrilled to have been selected to host the NAIA Women's Golf National Championships," says Director of Athletics Dr. Stephen Nichols. "We are excited to work with the San Diego International Sports Council and Lake San Marcos Country Club, and we look forward to putting on a first-class event."

The NAIA offered the first women's golf national championship in 1995 in South Dakota and has since held the event in Oklahoma, Florida, Kentucky and Indiana. The event will be held on the west coast just miles from the Pacific Ocean directly in the heart of San Diego's beautiful and growing "North County". The ideal weather conditions predominately cater to warm sunshine with cool ocean breezes. 

"The NAIA is extremely happy to carry on the tradition of the women's golf national championship in San Diego. NAIA student-athletes, coaches and fans will enjoy the first class facilities at Lake San Marcos County Club," said NAIA Interim President and CEO Jim Carr. "This national championship event boasts talent from across the country and brings a level of excitement to collegiate golf not only for the participants but for the entire San Diego community."

The course is part of Lake San Marcos Resort, which sits in a unique lakeside residential community. Located just eight miles from the Pacific Ocean and minutes away from local attractions, the guests have amenities such as a spa, tennis, swimming pools and fine dining.  

"On behalf of ownership, management, and all of our members I can't tell you how proud we are to be hosting the 2007 and 2008 NAIA Women's Golf National Championships," says Michael Hannon, Director of Golf at the resort. 

In 2006, Oklahoma City University won its second consecutive national championship after posting a four-day team total of 1215. The Stars' freshman Ashley Sholer claimed medalist honors after carding a four-day total of 296 (+8). The NAIA record book was virtually rewritten during the event as Oklahoma City broke nine tournament records.