At NSU, the Women’s Golf program is considered by some as the most successful sports in school history. Their history is short, yet storied. Let’s take a look at what the NSU Women’s Golf program has accomplished in their 21-year history as a program and their 19-year history as a Division II program.
In 1999-2000, NSU’s Women’s Golf program had its first season, initially in the Florida Sun Conference (FSC) of the NAIA division of collegiate sports. Though their stay in the FSC was short, the Sharks made their presence known. The team won the FSC conference title in 2000 and 2001. Additionally, Amanda Brown and Freska Darlion were named NAIA All-Americans for the 2000-2001 season. They also saw the program’s first appearance on the NAIA Scholar All-American list with Lindsey Haines in their inaugural season.
In 2002, NSU athletics joined the Sunshine State Conference and Division II of the NCAA. Since then, the Women’s Golf team has secured the conference title six times (’08, ’10, ’11, ’12, ’17 and ‘18).
Despite an underwhelming program season, the team was elevated to a national contender in 2008. In their first D-II National Championship appearance, they came up short against Rollins, but this loss would revolutionize the program.
After the National Championship loss, the Women’s Golf team went on to win the D-II National Championship four times and in a row (’09, ’10, ’11 and ‘12). During the team’s National Championship runs, the school produced three individual champions including Sandra Changkija in 2010, Taylor Collins in 2011 and Abbey Gittings in 2012.
In their 21-year history, the Sharks have had 40 appearances — 19 different players — as NCAA All-Americans. Additionally, the program has also had 26 appearances — 15 different players — as NCAA Scholar All-Americans.
Junior Nicola Fall is one of six golfers on NSU’s team. Fall, a two-time NCAA Scholar All-American, is from Vantaa, Finland. Fall is also one of four European players on the team.
“I was searching for a university where I could continue playing golf competitively while also getting a degree. NSU seemed like the right fit for me and I am happy to say I made the right choice by coming here,” Fall said.
According to Fall, NSU attracts a good amount of Europeans, especially athletes, and aims to treat them as a valued part of the NSU community and believes the athletics department appreciates having a diverse group of athletes from around the world.
Through all their athletic programs, NSU has 44 European players, which accounts for 13.3% of all players (44/332).
NSU is one of the best Women’s Golf programs in D-II and their players get better year by year.
“I definitely believe the past three years I’ve spent at NSU have made me a better player on the course and mentally tougher in many ways,” said Fall.
For those looking to come to NSU and join the Women’s Golf program, Fall said, “come with excitement and a hunger for improvement, as well as with a good work ethic.”.
As of March 2021, NSU is ranked as the #13 Women’s Golf team in the NCAA Division II. For their third meet of the season, the Sharks will take on Rollins College on March 15 and 16 in Orlando at the Peggy Kirk Bell Invitational. You can find out more about NSU Women’s Golf at https://nsusharks.com/sports/womens-golf.
