Mount Union Claims 2026 OAC Men’s Golf Championship Title Following Playoff Victory Over Otterbein

Tournament Recap

Mount Union captured the 2026 Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) Men’s Golf Championship at River Greens Golf Course after finishing tied for first with Otterbein at the conclusion of the three-round tournament and prevailing in a team playoff to secure the title.

Both programs completed the 54-hole championship with identical scores of 871 (+7), forcing a playoff to determine the conference champion. Mount Union emerged victorious in the second playoff hole, with Jase Libb sinking a birdie putt for the win.

How It Happened

The championship featured a tightly contested race across all three rounds, with Mount Union and Otterbein separating themselves from the field and maintaining their positions atop the leaderboard.

After three rounds of consistent play, Mount Union and Otterbein finished tied for first with a three day score of 871 (+7), setting up a decisive team playoff. Mount Union delivered under pressure in a two-hole playoff format, edging Otterbein to secure the championship.

Ohio Northern finished the three day rounds in third with a score of 876 (+12), followed by Marietta in fourth at 900 (+36). Heidelberg placed fifth at 910 (+46), while Capital finished sixth at 914 (+50). The remaining teams rounded out the standings with Baldwin Wallace in seventh at 932 (+68) and Muskingum in eighth at 940 (+76).

Team Standings (Par: 864)

1. Mount Union– 871 (+7) (Champion)
2. Otterbein– 871 (+7)
3. Ohio Northern – 876 (+12)
4. Marietta – 900 (+36)
5. Heidelberg – 910 (+46)
6. Capital – 914 (+50)
7. Baldwin Wallace – 932 (+68)
8. Muskingum – 940 (+76)

Individual Medalist

Otterbein’s Clay Bruning earned individual medalist honors with a three-round total of 213 (-3). Finishing each round respectively with 72-70-71.
 
All-Tournament team (Par: 216)

• 1. Clay Bruning (Otterbein) – 213 (-3)
• 2. Carter Woodward (Otterbein) – 215 (-1)
• T-3. Zach Butcher (Ohio Northern) – 218 (+2)
• T-3. Bennett Christy (Ohio Northern) – 218 (+2)
• T-3. Aidan Houghton (Marietta) – 218 (+2)

Noteworthy

• Mount Union secured the 2026 OAC Men’s Golf Championship after winning a two-hole team playoff against Otterbein.
• The Cardinals placed two golfers in the top two individually, highlighted by Clay Bruning’s medalist finish at 3 under par.
• The championship was contested over a 54-hole format (par 864 for teams / 216 for individuals), culminating in a playoff to determine the conference champion.
• The playoff consisted of two holes with all five golfers competing for each team, with the low four scores determining the winner.