Coertze Earns Biggest Honor in Program History

William Penn University Athletics

Oskaloosa–Demi Coertze (Sr., Johannesburg, South Africa, Digital Communication) finished off the awards portion of her collegiate career with her best one yet as the NAIA Women’s Golf All-America teams were announced Tuesday.

Coertze was named to the second team, one of 45 total individuals (15 on the first, second, and honorable-mention groups) to be honored. It is the senior’s second All-America accolade (also a third-teamer in 2014) and the third ever at WPU (three straight years).

The Heart of America Athletic Conference’s Player of the Year guided the Statesmen to their third-straight league title as well as their third-consecutive NAIA National Championships appearance (19th place).

The owner of a 78.5 stroke average over 26 rounds, she recorded 16 rounds in the 70s with a low of 72 in the season opener. She tallied five tournament wins and seven other top-10 efforts, ending her year by tying for sixth at nationals to collect all-tournament laurels.

At one stretch, Coertze scored in the 70s in seven consecutive rounds and wrapped up the campaign with three straight rounds under 80.

For her career, Coertze posted a 79.7 stroke average, which just narrowly takes over the top spot in school history.

“What a well deserved honor for a remarkable student-athlete!” Head Coach Nik Rule said. “I am so proud of Demi and the road she has taken. It was not always easy, but she grew as a person and because of that grew as a golfer. It has been an absolute pleasure coaching her and seeing her grow into a great player and a remarkable citizen. She is the most decorated player in program history and serves as an example that if you have a goal, work hard, and are coachable, you can achieve anything.”

Brandon Miller, head coach of national champion Northwood (Fla.), was named NAIA Coach of the Year for the second year in a row.