Sunshine State Conference

Jeff Leonard came to the University of Tampa as a baseball player. He left a two-time NCAA Division-II champion golfer.

"At Tampa, it was to be strictly Baseball," commented Leonard on the possibility of playing golf and baseball. "I became burned out on baseball in high school and addicted to golf."

Leonard not only captured two individual NCAA Division II titles back-to-back in 1987 and 1988, but he also led UT to team championships.

Beginning in 1963, the NCAA started hosting a championship in Division II men's golf. Until Leonard's remarkable run in the late '80s, no one had won the event twice, let alone back-to-back.

"It's surprising that I was the first person to win two championships in Division II history, but it was more about sharing the

experience. We had a great group of guys for three years, and winning the back-to-back team titles was really special," said Leonard.

Leonard's junior year, in 1987, he posted 11 rounds of par or better golf. He recorded a 73.27 stroke average and went as low as 60 in a round. Despite going par or better half as many rounds in 1988, Leonard sharpened his stroke average to 72.66.

Leonard's accolades were abundant in the classroom and on the course. The two strengths virtually mirrored each other in 1987 and 1988. He was named First-Team All-American, All-District, and All-SSC. He hoisted individual and team national championship trophies when named Division II Golfer of the Year. Leonard was also named an Academic All-American twice. Those honors came in 1985 and 1987.

"Jeff was one of the most quality persons that I have ever been around," mused former Tampa head coach Chuck Winship upon Leonard's appointment to the SSC Silver Anniversary Men's Golf Team. "Jeff was an all-around great person who excelled as a student and as an athlete. Jeff made himself into a great golfer with hard work and dedication that allowed him to develop into a two-time national champion."

 

Former Florida Southern College student-athlete Tim Crouch became the fourth and latest Division II men's golfer to win consecutive national championships. He is the third to do so consecutively, joining Leonard and Briny Baird of Valdosta State. Crouch took the crown in 2013 and again in 2014.

In addition to Leonard, Crouch, and Baird, Cal State-Chico's J.J. Jakovac also claimed two national titles. He won in both 2002 and 2004. Baird won his back-to-back titles in 1994 and 1995

With two consecutive individual national titles, Crouch became the eighth Moccasin to win an individual national title, which is the most-ever Division II medalists in Division II history. FSC's other individual national champions in men's golf, besides Crouch, are Tom Gleeton (1979), Tom Patri (1981), Lee Janzen (1986), Matt Saglio (1999), Jeff Klauk (2000) and Steve Sokol (2001).

Florida Southern has won a Division II-best 12 team national championships.

[Published: 2/11/16 / Edited: 3/18/20]

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On May 17th, 2014, Lynn University won the 2014 NCAA Women's Golf National Championship. It was a glorious day for Lynn as they completed an undefeated season with a second consecutive championship. The Fighting Knights' 2014 victory capped off 15 straight years of Sunshine State Conference dominance at the NCAA Division II Women's Golf National Championship.

The SSC's reign over women's golf began in 2000, the same year all three divisions were granted a national championship. The NCAA only sponsored one championship from 1982 to 1995. The National Collegiate Women's Golf Championship had participants from all three divisions. In 1995, The NCWG Championship split into two championships: Division I and Divisions II & III. This model was discontinued in 1999, making way for the separate championships for Division I, II, and III.

Florida Southern won the first three titles right out of the gate. The Moccasins outlasted Rollins College in 2000 & 2001, then Barry University in 2002. The Tars would go on to win the next four championships (03-06), while Florida Southern would be runner-up twice during that span. FSC hoisted the title again in 2007, with a 10-stroke advantage over Rollins.

"We were grateful," commented Florida Southern head coach Robbie Davis on the NCAA separating the championship among three divisions. "It's nice to be able to say you won the division that you play."

The Tars secured their fifth championship in 2008, narrowly edging a burgeoning powerhouse in Nova Southeastern University by seven strokes. "Florida Southern really set the bar through the 2002 season, showing us what needs to happen for you to be successful," commented Julie Garner, Rollins College Head Coach.

The Sharks of NSU went on to take the next four championships, holding off Rollins in 2010 & 2011 and Florida Southern in 2012. Three strokes separated Nova Southeastern and Lynn for the 2013 championship, with the Fighting Knights on top in the end. It was Lynn's first championship since winning it all in 1997 as part of the combined Division II / III event.

During the 15-year span in which SSC members won every national championship, conference schools earned national runner-up status 12 times. That includes Barry University's runner-up performance to Lynn in 2014.

"Fifteen consecutive national titles is an amazing feat which resulted in SSC schools investing in women's golf. It's the perfect storm of great players, quality coaches, fierce competition, and good weather," said Davis.

The University of Indianapolis took the title in 2015, marking the first time the Division II Women's Golf National Champions came from outside the Sunshine State Conference. Rollins finished second, five strokes behind the champions. Lynn ended in third, 13 shots outside the top spot.

"The Sunshine State Conference's place in the national conversation is on-going," said Garner. "Today, there is more parity in general. Plenty of schools are capable of competing at the highest level. That's why it's important to get a larger field into regional and national competition."
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[Published: 2/11/16 / Edited: 3/18/20]

About the 40 Great Moments Campaign

The "40 Great Moments" campaign was created to bring attention to the athletic excellence, academic excellence, community engagement, and sportsmanship that has made up the Sunshine State Conference over the last 40 years. Moments were nominated by current and former student-athletes, coaches, administrators, alumni, and fans. The final 40 moments were decided upon by a vote of conference Sports Information Directors. The "40 Great Moments" campaign concluded during the Summer of 2016.

View all 40 of the SSC's Great Moments, here.