In celebration of Black History Month, Towson University features Nyasha Mauchaza and Airielle Dawson – Towson University’s first African American members of the Tigers golf programs under head coach, Brian Yaniger.
Yaniger says, “I was thrilled to have such high-quality players and people representing Towson University. It would not surprise me in the least if these outstanding individuals were at some point included in the Towson Athletics Hall of Fame. ”
Both Mauchaza and Dawson left their mark on Towson in the mid-2000s, both breaking records and leading their teams to multiple victories.
NYASHA MAUCHAZA
After winning the Zimbabwe Junior National Stroke Play Championship in 2005, Nyasha Mauchaza moved to the United States with his parents from Harare, Zimbabwe. Just two years later, Mauchaza became the first African American player to ever play golf for Towson University in 2007.
During his rookie season, Mauchaza played in more events than any other Tiger. Up against 16 golfers, Mauchaza earned a third-place finish during the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) Conference Tournament. The freshman averaged 76.3 on the year, slotting him the number three spot on the team.
As a sophomore, Mauchaza was seen as the Tiger’s most consistent player after posting a 75.6 for the spring and a 76.0 for the fall. Tying for 29th at The McLaughlin marked a tie for his career-best at 218 (73-74-71) for 54 holes. Mauchaza saw fourth place honors at the Princeton Invitational and slotted second-best on the team with a 75.6 average for the year.
Mauchaza’s junior year was highlighted by a first-place tie at The McLaughlin, second-place honors at the F&M Bank Austin Peay Intercollegiate and a fifth-place title at the Fireline Towson Invitational. After traveling to Port St. Lucie, Florida, Mauchaza finished second in the 24th Annual PGA of America Minority Collegiate Golf Championships on the PGA Club’s Ryder Course. Leading the Tigers with a 73.1 average, Mauchaza was Towson’s top finisher at the NCAA Southeast Regional and earned second-team All-CAA.
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In the fall of 2010, Mauchaza matched up against 70 golfers at the Joe Agee Invitational to tie for a first-place choice. This tournament marked his career-best for a 36-hole with a one-under 141 (72-69). Mauchaza averaged 74.2 for the fall, which was the second-lowest on the squad.
Collegiate Career Lows:
18 Holes: 67 – NCAA Southeast Regional 2009
36 Holes: 141 (72-69) – Joe Agee Invitational 2010
54 Holes: 208 (69-67-72) – The McLaughin 2009
AIRIELLE DAWSON
In 2008, Airielle Dawson became the first African American athlete added to the Towson women’s golf roster. After taking up golf at the age of eleven, Dawson began her stint with the Tigers posting her first collegiate career-low of 79 twice, once at the First Market Intercollegiate and second at the Mt. St. Mary’s Spring Invitational.
During her sophomore year, Dawson was slated as the second-best overall on the squad after an 81.4 average for the year. In the regular season, Dawson tied eighth to help the Tigers win the Dartmouth Invitational and secured the 25thspot in the CAA Championships. After a trip to the PGA Club’s Ryder Course in Port St. Lucie, Florida, Dawson earned a third-place finish at the 24th Annual PGA of America Minority Collegiate Golf Championships.
History at Towson was made her junior year when Dawson became the first golfer in program history (men’s or women’s) to win a national title. After lighting up the PGA Club’s Ryder Course, Dawson earned her honors at the 25th Annual PGA of America Minority Collegiate Golf Championship by seven strokes with rounds of 75, 73, and 72.
Leading her senior year, Dawson was the only Tiger to average under 80. Pitting against 85 elite golfers at the Wendy’s Invitational, Dawson earned a best individual finish with a 12th place finish.
Collegiate Career Lows:
18 Holes: 72 – PGA Minority Collegiate Championship 2011
36 Holes: 151 (76-75) – Wendy’s Invitational 2012
54 Holes: 220 (75-73-72) – PGA Minority Collegiate Championship 2011—towsontigers.com
