Coyote golfers seeking biggest prize yet

The Weatherford College men's golf team is enjoying a season unlike any other in the history of the program - and that goes back to the days of when their coach, Dave Rennhack, played for the Coyotes.

Now, they are ready to cap it off with a grand prize - a national championship. It's certainly within their grasp as they prepare to compete in the NJCAA Division I Championships May 12-15 at Sand Creek Station Golf Course in Newton, Kansas.

"It's just been a great year, a banner year," Rennhack said. "I feel like this could be the year. When we're playing our best there's not a team out there we can't beat."

The Coyotes come into the tournament ranked No. 4 in the nation. Only Indian Hills Community College (Ottumwa, Iowa), 2025 national runner-up Odessa College and McLennan Community College are ahead of Weatherford College.

The Coyotes played on this same course in the Championship Preview in late October, wrapping up their fall schedule. They finished second to McLennan.

In that same tournament, Coyote sophomore Dawson Langan placed fourth individually. He has committed to play at the NCAA Division I school Murray State next season.

Likewise, they finished 15th in the nation in last season's national championship tournament, also on this course. It's the second best finish in program history behind the 12th-place finish of the 1993 team.

"We love this golf course. You have to drive the ball well, the greens are heavily protected and the conditions can be extreme in Kansas. You can't fake good golf at Sand Creek Station" Rennhack said.

The championship preview was one of four top-five tournament finishes in the fall for the Coyotes. Individually, freshman Michael Mayer had finishes of second and third as highlights, including a round of 63 in New Mexico.

Mayer, only 17 years old, ranks fourth in the nation with a 70.2 stroke average.

The Coyotes ended the fall ranked No. 7 in the nation. Then came the spring and even more success, including:

*First place in the Claude Jacobs Invitational in Victoria, Mayer first individually, Langan second, with freshmen Youssef El Hali and Tanaka Chatora fourth and fifth, respectively.

*First place in the North Central Texas College Spring Invitational, Chatora second, Mayer and sophomore Abderrahmane Fakori tied for fifth.

*First place in the Bethany College (Kansas) Classic, Langan first, El Hali third and freshman Nicholas Lewis fifth.

*Third in the TankLogix & Tall City Exploration Collegiate in Midland, Lewis first, El Hali fifth.

"This spring we came out with a mission," Rennhack said. "They'd never won a team championship, and to win four in one semester, that's incredible. We've beaten just about everybody once this season."

That includes the top three teams in front of them in the rankings.

They also won the Northern Texas Junior College Athletic Conference for a second straight season, followed by the program's first ever Region V championship, besting Odessa and McLennan. Mayer finished second individually.

The Coyotes rallied in the regional tournament, shooting 11 under par on the final day.

"That was phenomenal," Rennhack said. "We had never beaten Odessa, entered the final round four shots back and we played our best golf when it counted the most. 

"I think we have five guys who are capable of winning an individual national championship, and that's what it takes to come away with a team win."

In the South Central District Tournament in San Antonio in late April, the Coyotes placed third and Mayer won the individual championship.

When all-conference honors were announced, the Coyotes dominated. Mayer was named NTJCAC Player of the Year and Rennhack was honored as Coach of the Year for a second straight season. Chatora and Langan were named to the first team and Eli Hali to the second team. 

Mayer, Langan and Chatora were also named All-Region V.

For more information, go to wcathletics.com.