As senior Marley Franklin approached the 16th hole in the Northeast Conference Championship, Howard University golf Director Sam Puryear knew she would sink her next shot.
As the Bison golfer approached the shot, Puryear read Franklin the putt, and Franklin responded, 鈥淚 believe you.鈥�
鈥淭hat was the first time I took a breath and said, 鈥榳ow, I think we might get it,鈥欌�� Puryear told 草莓传媒. 鈥淪he made about a 40-foot birdie putt uphill. I was like, 鈥榶o, this might be it.鈥欌��
Franklin鈥檚 performance proved crucial, as it helped lead the Howard women鈥檚 golf team to win its first-ever conference championship at the 2026 Northeast Conference Championships at the Turf Valley Resort in Ellicott City, Maryland. With the result, Howard became the first historically Black university to win a non-HBCU conference title.
鈥淭his is not an HBCU accomplishment,鈥� Puryear said. 鈥淭his is a golf accomplishment.鈥�
The of Fairleigh Dickinson by two shots after a dominant third round shooting +17 in the final round as a team to secure the title. Franklin earned her first collegiate win with a three-round score of 220 (+7), seven shots ahead of her nearest rival.
Franklin told 草莓传媒 she didn’t know Howard had won the conference championship until her father told her on a phone call after completing her round.
鈥淚 knew it was close, but the feeling coming down seven and 18, I was just filled with butterflies and anxiety, because I was like, 鈥業 think this is it. I think we got it this time,鈥欌�� she said.
Franklin credits part of Howard鈥檚 success to the team bond, which strengthened after a winter trip to play in Phoenix, Arizona. While golf is an individual sport, the senior said golfers support one another through the highs and lows of the season.
Puryear, who admitted to wanting his golfers to rival each other, said their camaraderie made the difference in their victories.
鈥淚 feel like teamwork is something that wins championships,鈥� Franklin said. 鈥淵ou can’t really do it by yourself.鈥�
Alongside Franklin鈥檚 performance, freshman Mia Melendez fired a 1-under 70 in the third round of the NEC to finish third overall.
Puryear called her final round 鈥渙ne of the greatest rounds of golf I鈥檝e seen as a coach,鈥� adding that he is excited to see where the program goes with her and Howard鈥檚 new freshman class for next season.
鈥淲hat just transpired at the NEC with the women’s tournament is one of the greatest wins of my entire career,鈥� Puryear told his players after the tournament. 鈥淎nd I’m super, super, super proud of that.鈥�
Howard鈥檚 golf program started six years ago and has been growing ever since. It gained some fame following its appearance on
The Bison received whom Puryear credits for making the university鈥檚 golf teams possible.
鈥淲hen you’re supported and backed by a champion, arguably the best shooter of all time, arguably the shooting GOAT, I think the ladies feel like, 鈥榟ey, you know what? We’re a part of something bigger,鈥欌�� Puryear said, who added that Curry did a FaceTime with the players after the conference championship.
The NEC was the Bison鈥檚 third tournament win of the year.
As her teammates wait for details on their postseason schedule, Franklin said it feels amazing to be part of history. However, winning the NEC means more than winning a trophy.
鈥淲e can go to a school, HBCU, any school, and show that we belong there,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 think that the most important part of being a part of this team is showing that we belong.鈥�
Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here.
漏 2026 草莓传媒. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.
