The Mount Vernon Nazarene College men's golf team finished sixth out of eleven teams at the 1997 National Christian College Athletic Association national tournament held October 7-8 at the Arbor Hills Country Club in Jackson, Michigan.
The NCCAA national tournament, which was moved to the fall so that more of the top teams could compete in it without the schedule conflicting with that of the NAIA national tournament, boasted the strongest field of teams in the history of the event.
Spring Arbor (MI) College, the host school, claimed its third straight NCCAA title by firing a two-day total of 590 to easily out-distance second-place Malone College, who shot a 617. Southern Wesleyan (SC) University was third with a 621 total, followed by Cumberland (KY) College - 627, Lee (TN) University - 629, MVNC - 634, Bethel (IN) College - 649, Grace (IN) College - 654, Indiana Wesleyan University - 658, Cedarville College - 675, and Toccoa Falls (GA) College - 813.
After shooting 323 as a team on the first day, the Cougars fired a 311 on the second day (the third best total of the day behind Spring Arbor's 296 and Malone's 307). "I was very pleased with the way that the team rebounded the second day," said MVNC coach Mike O'Hara. "This was the most competitive field in the tournament's history and it was held on a very challenging course."
Senior Scott Savage fired a two-day total of 147 that included a 71 on the second day on the par 72 course. Savage finished in a three-way tie for the top spot, but lost a one-hole playoff to Dave Page of Spring Arbor, who claimed medalist's honors. Savage was named as one of the eight NCCAA All-Americans.
Besides Savage's 147, Steven Hesson fired a 161, Marty Flach recorded a 163, Ethan Hendrickx shot a 164, and Chris Huff finished with a 168.