Oakton golfer to compete at national competition

Oakton Community College golfer Stephen Bukielski (Niles, Schaumburg High School) is two-for-two when it comes to qualifying for one of the biggest stages for college golf.

Bukielski will be competing at the 2018 National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division II Men's Golf Championship, May 21-24, at the Glenlakes Golf Club in Foley, Alabama. Last year at nationals, he placed 77th out of 143 golfers in Mesa, Arizona.

"Competing at nationals last year was jittery for me," Bukielski said. "Now, that I've already competed at such a high level, I'll be less stressed and able to take my game up a notch."

Bukielski will be contending against more than 100 junior college golfers from around the nation at the par-72 6,912-yard golf course that features strategic mounding, extensive bunkering and rippling fairways and greens.

"Consistent is the best way to describe Steve's golf game," Louis Walker, Oakton men's golf coach said. "He may not hit it the farthest off the tee, but he gets on the fairway constantly. Steve is mentally and physically prepared. Competing in a tournament like this is huge pressure, but he's already been to nationals before, which gives him a huge advantage over many of the other competitors."

However, Walker said the tournament poses certain challenges.

"Any course can be tough if you haven't played on it before," Walker said. "Golf is unlike any other sport because you compete against yourself and there's no footage to watch like there is in basketball or football."

To get ready for the four-day tournament, Bukielski and the other competitors will have two practice rounds to familiarize themselves with the course.

"Glenlakes Golf Club is one of the premier golf courses in the nation," Walker said. "The air quality there is great, being so close to the Gulf of Mexico. The balls should be able to travel farther than when the tournament was held in humid Arizona last year."

Since the golf season ended last fall, Bukielski has been playing as much as possible and is confident about his chances.

"For the last few months I've been perfecting my swing and especially working on my putting," he said. "I'm a level-headed person, and I don't get down when I make a mistake. I'm excited about having another opportunity at nationals and hoping to improve on last year's performance by medaling."