Freshman Nick Wilson (Rocheport, Mo.) led the Owls at the 2009 AMC Championships. The Hickman High School graduate won the event with rounds of 72, 68, and 67. Wilson won the event by five strokes, and was named the 2009 AMC Freshman of the Year.

Junior Kyle Kovar (Columbia, Mo.) finished in a tie for fifth at the AMC Championships. The Hickman High School graduate has experienced the NAIA National Championships before. "Having been there before I know how much of a spectacle it is to play at a National Championship," said Kovar. "It's not just a golf tournament. There are banquets, dinners and they announce your name individually off the tee. But I know from experience that you just have to pace yourself because it's a long tournament."

The 2009 NAIA Championships are held at the site of a PGA Tour event, the John Deere Invitational. Kovar is looking forward to the opportunity to compete on a professional course. "You just have to remember to soak it all in because playing at a PGA caliber course, you can't do anything but smile the whole time."

Kovar has paid his dues at William Woods. He has worked his way into one of the top spots on the Owls roster. His expectations heading into the season were mixed. "The expectations that I had for the team were hit and miss. I knew that we had a lot of talent coming in, but that we were still going to be a rather young team. I wasn't sure how the incoming guys would handle the pressure of college golf. They exceeded my expectations and we had a wonderful season. As for myself, I was just trying to be a steady leader. I was the third player on the team last year behind two seniors who were All-Region and All-Conference, so I was just trying to step into the leadership role as team captain." Kovar finished the 2008 National Championships in a tie for 114th. Kovar shot a +21 at last year's National Championships.

Another Owl making his second appearance at Nationals is senior Gabe George. George, a Salisbury High School graduate, finished 15th at the AMC Championships. His expectations for the season were high. "Qualifying for Nationals has become the expectation for this program," said George. "Last year we weren't supposed to win our Regional, but did. This year we knew we were the best team in the conference. We would have been extremely disappointed had we not made it."

George had to fight not only a great field at the 2008 National Championships, but also his nerves. "Hopefully this year I will be a little more calm. I know last year for the entire front nine my nerves were at an all-time high on the golf course. Hopefully the three of us that were there last year can help out the freshmen and let them know that we belong there and that we're very capable of competing on that level. It's been a fun ride for me the last four years and I just want to finish strong." George finished in a tie for 108th at the 2008 National Championships. George shot a +20 at the tournament.

Head Coach Barry Doty is looking forward to guiding his team to its second straight National Championship appearance. "When the season began, our goal was to win the AMC Championship," said Doty. "We were also hoping to head back to Nationals and improve on last year's performance."

When asked if making the National Tournament was a goal or expectation, Coach Doty made his feeling clear. "Because we are a young team, this year it was a goal. As we look at this program a few years down the road, it will be more of an expectation."

The Owls did not make the cut at the 2008 Championships. That is something the team, and coach, are looking to improve upon. "We are still a relatively young team," said Doty. "However, our goal would be to make the 54-hole cut."

Gabe George echo's Coach Doty's sentiments. "My expectations are to play solid golf and have a chance going into that third day to make the cut. If we play like we're capable of I really feel we could make a push for a top 10 finish. There's a lot of talent on this team."

Kovar also looks forward to improving on last year's appearance. "Competing in the National Championship last year, I realize how good the teams and players there are. I think that our team has the capability of doing well, but we will definitely need to bring our "A" game. I do expect this team to make the cut. I think that is an attainable goal for us."

Sophomore Austin Waibel (Boonville, Mo.) is another National Tournament veteran. Waibel finished 16th at the AMC Championships. The Salisbury High School graduate hopes his experience will aid the team's quest for a National Championships. "Our expectations coming into the season were to win our conference tournament, and then go to the National Tournament and compete for a title," said Waibel. "After playing in a National Tournament, I feel we have learned a lot from our first experience. I think our mindset is to do our best and hopefully come home with a championship." Waibel finished the 2008 NAIA National Championships in a tie for 135th place. He shot a +27 at the NAIA's championship event.

Freshman Jared Nash rounds out the top five for William Woods. Nash (Dixon, Mo.) finished 14th at the AMC Championships. The Newburg High School graduate came to William Woods with lofty goals. "My expectation heading into the season was to finish in the top ten every time I played," said Nash. "It's a high goal for a freshman but that's how I have always been."

Nash hopes to take those same expectations to the National Championships. "I expect the same in the National Tournament. It's just another event to me and with the practice between now and then, I will be ready." He recognizes that having three teammates with postseason experience will help with preparation. "It is definitely helpful having guys who have been there before. Now the newcomers can have some incite into the National Championships."

Coach Doty and his team will take the course on Tuesday, May 19th. At this time, tee times have yet to be announced. You can follow the National Championships by clicking on the link provided: