The stage is set, the clubs are ready, and the NAIT Ooks Golf Team is prepared to leave their mark on the ACAC Championship this weekend. From September 24th to 26th, the Alberta Springs Golf Course in Red Deer will bear witness to the determination and skill of these talented student-athletes under the guidance of Head Coach Tyler Leicht.

As the team gears up for this Championship, Coach Leicht's words resonate with optimism. "We feel good; we've had two good tournaments, the North and South regional, to prepare for this weekend. We're looking to qualify both the men's team and a couple of the ladies for the National Championship in Quebec in October, so we're feeling good, and we're ready to go."

On the men's side, the top two finishers at the ACAC Championship will secure their spot at the CCAA National Championship. The top six individual players will advance on the women's side, forming an ACAC women's team. The CCAA National Championship will be held in Quebec from October 17-20.

The men's team has shown their mettle in the lead-up to this Championship. In the first tournament, they secured a solid third-place overall finish, with their top player, Mason Gorski, making an impressive individual mark by placing fourth. The team faced stiff competition in the second tournament, finishing fourth overall. Still, once again, third-year Instrumentation Engineering Technology student Mason Gorski's skill shone through as he claimed the fourth spot individually. The team's camaraderie and performance are evident, as Coach Leicht remarks, "I think we've got a really good group of guys. We have all eight men competing, and being a five-count-four system; we've got a really strong field. I think we have a good chance to qualify this weekend, so we're looking forward to it. We're excited, and everyone's ready to get on the first tee."

The spotlight for the women's team is on fourth-year Bachelor of Business Administration student Michaella Kibblewhite, a determined player with a proven track record. In the first tournament, she showcased her skills by placing fourth overall. Kibblewhite continued to impress in the second tournament, securing a sixth-place finish. Coach Leicht shares, "Michaella ended up finishing sixth in the last tournament. She had a big day two and was able to climb up to six, which is crucial because the top six ladies qualify for Nationals. They essentially form an ACAC All-Star team. I'm hoping for a good weekend again for her."

The path to success will be challenging, but the NAIT Ooks Golf Team is ready to embark on a journey that could lead to the ultimate prize—national recognition at the CCAA National Championship.