It came down to one stroke.
One national title. One moment in a sudden-death tiebreaker.
At the NCAA Division II Men’s Golf Championship in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, Colorado Christian University’s top-ranked team stood on the brink of history — undefeated all season against Division II opponents and just inches from a second straight national title.
But the putt was missed by a fraction of an inch.
And something beautiful happened.
There was no blame. No shame. No collapse. The Cougars lifted each other up, shook hands, hugged, and walked off the green with peace — not because they had won, but because they knew who they were.
Their identity wasn’t tied to the scoreboard, and their worth hadn’t moved an inch. They had prayed before the match — not for victory, but for the strength to honor God regardless of the outcome. And they did.
The team compiled a 130–0 record against DII opponents, swept nearly every tournament, and finished as national runners-up. But more than what they accomplished, it was how they competed with joy, humility, and purpose — that stood out.
“We get to play a different game than other teams,” said senior Adam Duncan, NCAA Division II Golfer of the Year and a Ping First Team All-American.
“Whether we win or lose, we get to do this amazing thing we’re called to do and give it our all. It’s not the end-all, be-all — our value isn’t in the outcome, but in who we are as people, as a team, and as a school.”
In a world obsessed with results, this team offered something deeper: a testimony of grace, faith, and freedom. Their response to defeat preached the gospel louder than any celebration could.
“They finished as runners-up,” said CCU President Eric Hogue, “but the legacy they leave behind is far greater than any single scoreboard could capture. Their sportsmanship in victory and grace in defeat reflect exactly what we believe athletics at CCU is all about —representing Christ well on every course, court, and field of play.”
When the world saw a loss, it also saw a team that never lost who they were.
And that kind of victory?
It echoes into eternity.
