Oakton Golfer Qualifies For National Championship

DES PLAINES, IL – An Oakton Community College golfer will make his second appearance at the National Junior College Athletic Association Division II Men's Golf Championship in as many years come May. Sophomore Stephen Bukielski, a Niles native and Schaumburg High School alum, qualified for nationals with a 77 score at Senica's Oak Ridge Golf Club in La Salle over the weekend.

“The conditions were extremely challenging,” Bukielski said of the tournament that saw him finish seventh overall.

Golfers needed to complete 54 holes over two days because of torrential rains at the course.

“I knew I just had to play as well as possible and plug through the elements," he said. "I’ve played in bad weather before, and one time in high school I played a tournament in snow.”

Bukielski's performance means he'll compete as an individual in the national championships from May 21-24 at Glenlakes Golf Club in Foley, Alabama.

Last year, Bukielski finished "in the middle of the pack" of the nationals held in Arizona.

And while a return trip to nationals is still months away, he says he's already feeling more confident.

"I plan on playing my best while having fun,” he said.

Photo courtesy of Oakton Community College