Niles resident to represent Oakton at national golf tournament

Oakton Community College freshman golfer Stephen Bukielski (Niles, Schaumburg High School) has his eye on the cups – the ones at the Longbow Golf Course in Mesa, Arizona – when he competes in the 2017 National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division II Men’s Golf Championship May 23-26.

“Having Steve compete in nationals says a lot about his talent and is a huge honor for Oakton’s program. I’m looking forward to seeing him go against the best golfers in the nation,” says Louis Walker, Oakton men’s golf coach.

Bukielski will be contending against approximately 300 junior college golfers from around the country at the par-71, 7,050-yard golf course that features emerald fairways, strategic bunkers and a picturesque desert view.

“It will be a great experience,” Bukielski says. “If I can read the greens well and make my putts, I know I can put together a good run.”

Coach Walker says the tournament poses certain challenges: “The weather in Arizona will be extremely humid. Also, any course can be tough if you haven’t played on it before. Golf is unlike any other sport because you compete against yourself, and there’s no footage to watch like there is in football or basketball.”

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

“Even with the unknown factors, I have confidence Steve will be a top contender,” Walker adds.

During the 2017 season, Bukielski was named an NJCAA Region IV All-Region and Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference All-Conference first teamer.