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Marietta College’s Jackie Cunningham enjoying dominant golf season

Photo courtesy of Nate Knobel Marietta College’s Jackie Cunningham, a Belpre High graduate, recently won the Ohio Athletic Conference golf championship at River Greens Golf Course in West Lafayette.

When Marietta College sophomore Jackie Cunningham went to class this past Monday, she was affectionately addressed “Champ” by some of her classmates.

And, fittingly so.

On Sunday at River Greens Golf Course in West Lafayette in Coshocton County, the 21-year-old Cunningham won the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) Women’s Golf individual championship and in doing so etched her name into both the MC and OAC record books for the lowest 18-hole, 36-hole, and 54-hole scores. Carding a one-under par, 72, in the final round, she finished the three-day tournament one-over at 220. On Friday and Saturday, she had identical scores of 74.

“It was just an incredible weekend,” said Cunningham. “I knew on the 18th, a par 4, on Sunday that I was one-under. I was playing conservative the whole round, and I was relaxed. All I needed was a par — and I got it. It was pretty emotional. There were tears and I got hugs from everybody.”

Cunningham never trailed on the leaderboard, and was 22 strokes better than the runner-up. During the 54 holes, she said had seven birdies and one eagle in the second round on hole 16, a par 5.

After the eagle, Cunningham closed out with a par and then a birdie. She led by 15 strokes going into the final 18 of the tourney.

“I hit 15 greens in the final round,” Cunningham said. “I had 11 in the first and 10 in the second.

“I did have more bogeys than I would’ve liked in the tournament, but I always seemed to make up for it with a birdie a hole or two later.”

Cunningham said she was familiar with River Greens Golf Course from her high school days at Belpre.

“I’ve played here twice before, so that helped a little bit,” she said. “I think we played the district tournament here.”

At Belpre High, Cunningham competed in track & field, basketball, and golf, which is of course her favorite sport.

“I’ve been playing golf since the eighth grade,” she said. “My dad (Jim Cunningham) got me started.”

Cunningham’s dad was actually a witness to her best-ever round of golf at Lakeside Golf Course in Beverly.

“It happened a couple of years ago over Labor Day, and I shot a 64 for 18 holes,” she recalled. “That’s the course record.

“My dad couldn’t believe it.”

After graduating from Belpre in 2015, Cunningham decided to attend MC, where she’s majoring in sports management. A year ago at this time, she said she was golfing mostly “recreationally” and getting ready for the inaugural year (2018) of the Marietta College women’s golf program.

And what a spring it’s been as Cunningham has claimed six individual golf titles, including the OAC one.

“That was our Master’s,” she said.

Thing is, Cunningham’s Pioneer golf season may not be over just yet. With last Sunday’s crown secured, she’s now in a holding pattern and waiting to see if she will receive one of six individual bids into the NCAA Division III National Championship scheduled for May 8-11 at Mission Hills Resort Golf Club in Howey-in-the-Hills, Florida.

“I’ve never been to Florida, and there’s a chance, but I try not to get my hopes up,” Cunningham said. “The committee will make their decision next Monday (April 30).”

Whether Cunningham goes or not, she’ll still be one busy lady with Marietta College finals this Sunday and Monday. Then, there’s practicing “the little things” at MC’s home course — the Marietta Country Club.

And, then, this summer, Cunningham will be employed at Oxbow Golf & Country Club in Belpre.

“I do a little bit of everything there, but mostly I’m in the Pro Shop,” she said. “If you call, I’m the one who answers the phone.”

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