Michael Palmer has come of age late in his first season with the Oklahoma City University men’s golf team.
The freshman from Johannesburg, South Africa has won two consecutive tournaments, including the Sooner Athletic Conference championship this past week. Palmer is this week’s Super Star of the Week for his efforts.
“It was quite a relief,” Palmer said of his victory in the SAC championships. “I have been playing pretty well for the last month or so. It was a nice breakthrough with all the hard work I have put in.”
Coming into the season, Palmer was ranked No. 93 in the Amateur Golf World Rankings according to Golfweek magazine. Palmer said his coach back home in South Africa recommended he go to OCU.
“I knew a couple of the South Africans who were here, so I thought it would be comfortable to come here,” Palmer said.
Palmer has averaged 71.79 shots in 10 tournaments this season. He has finished in the top 10 in six tournaments, including those two victories. Palmer fired a final-round 67 to claim second place at the NAIA Preview in Silvis, Ill. back in October. The Stars also won the team title at the preview, on the same course where this year’s NAIA Championships will be held. Palmer hopes his team can repeat those results next month and capture the school’s seventh national title.
“We are going to keep doing what we are doing and hopefully we get the results we want,” Palmer said.
To see a video interview with Palmer, click here.
More on Michael:
Nickname: Palms
What I’d like to transform into: Leopard
Magazine I would subscribe to: Golf Digest
At the top of my to-do list: Get a million dollars
What I did last summer: Spent last moments with friends before I came to America
