It's been a historical two days for the Southern Miss women's golf program.
In just one year under head coach Colton Cowan, the Golden Eagles won their first-ever conference championship at the Lakewood Golf Club in Point Clear, Ala.
"I wish there were enough words to describe all of that," Cowan said. "I'm just really proud of what we have been able to accomplish. I'm just really proud of the ladies and everyone who has their hand in the Southern golf program.
"Championships aren't won in those four days they are won in the eight months before that."
The team title comes a day after Momoka Ando shot 9-under par to become the first Golden Eagle to claim a conference championship in program history and qualify for a NCAA Regional.
Ando also knocked down the winning putt to seal the Golden Eagles' upset over top-seeded Georgia Southern in the Sun Belt championship match final and qualify the team for the NCAA tournament for the first time in program history.
"This has been a long time coming for Mo," Cowan said. "She historically has the lowest stroke average here at Southern Miss in women's golf. She has all of the talent in the world. Having things come together for her at the conference was really special."
Ando's shot came on the par three of the 17th hole to clinch the victory. Earlier in the day, Southern Miss defeated Coastal Carolina in the semifinals to reach the championship match after junior Taylor Trible secured the decisive third point. According to Cowan, the biggest key to his program is developing the mental side and embracing the natural stress that comes in the sport.
"It's understanding the foundations of what makes us good golfers," Cowan said. "What makes who we are, what are our strengths and weaknesses, and how can we as individuals use that to our advantage in the heat of competition in the most chaotic situation and know how to respond within the high stress?
"When we first got here, it was getting them prepared for understanding what their tendencies are mentally, physically and psychology when stuff like that happens. It's really providing them with processes and the knowledge of when stress does get high and using that to their advantage instead of seeing it as a hindrance. It's using that pressure build-up to allow us to go out there and perform."
The program's best finish was in second place in the 2007-08 Conference USA championship, which was the only time the program achieved that mark.
"We had great players that we were able to develop and grow and make history," Cowan said. "It won't set in until after the season, probably until the middle of June. We were aware that, taking this job, there is some really good golf history, but not quite to the level that is capable here at Southern Miss."
For Cowan, it's the seventh straight conference title he has won as a head coach after he won three for both the men and women at Henderson State.
"I'm speechless on that," Cowan said. "A coach is only as good as its players. I was blessed at Henderson State to have some really good players and same way with Southern Miss."
The 2025 NCAA Women's Golf Regionals selection show will be aired live on the Golf Channel on April 23 at 10 a.m. CT.
Follow @AndrewAbadie on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook for Southern Miss coverage.
