By: Leo Boshardy
Aubreye Hyatt grew up playing golf with her father, Jason, at Cantigny Park in Wheaton.
Along with her sister, Aubreye Hyatt learned at a young age to embrace the links, and her dad saw her potential.
“She’s very coachable,” Jason Hyatt said. “And the willingness to learn and get better is what you like to see, whether as a parent or a coach.”
Aubreye Hyatt, a 2024 graduate of Waubonsie Valley High School, is part of the Nursing program at COD. While playing both golf and volleyball in high school, she ultimately chose to follow in her father’s footsteps and pursue golf as her main sport at COD.
Jason Hyatt began coaching the College’s golf team in 2003. Since then, the men’s team has won 12 regional championships and finished third on four separate occasions in the NJCAA Division III National Tournament, three of which occurred during the past three years.
The women’s golf program is in its third year at COD, and last year’s roster produced three All-Americans: Ivy Burnette, Haley Cassells and Skylar Jollette. The current roster includes Aubreye Hyatt, as well as Burnette and Danielle Murphy.
Jason Hyatt said the main objective this year, like every academic year, is for the golf team to qualify for the NJCAA Division III national tournament in June while its members also work hard in the classroom on their individual educations.
It's all been memorable for me so far this year, and I am just so proud of the work ethic that Aubreye has shown throughout this whole season.
Jason Hyatt, Coach | Dad
“Every season, every team is a little different,” he said. “Each player creates their own experience, but my goal is that each player gets a good education and has a good experience competing and playing for the College.”
As a College of DuPage Board of Trustees Scholars Award recipient, Aubreye Hyatt is paying for her education through funds afforded by the College. She credits this honor with giving her the opportunity to choose a transfer institution of her choice that better adheres to her goal of becoming a nurse. While the specific school she plans on transferring to is still to be determined, she hopes to attend a local institution in the Chicago area.
According to Aubreye Hyatt, this allows her “to continue my education and cover the bases needed to eventually make transferring easier.”
Aubrye Hyatt, along with teammate Burnette, finished their fall golf season in the top 20 at Joliet Junior College's Clash at the Creek. COD continued its 2024-25 season this spring, with Aubreye Hyatt competing as the only community college athlete at the Augustana Viking Classic at Augustana University in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Jason Hyatt is looking forward to the culmination of the Chaps’ season at the NJCAA Division III championship June 3-6 in Chautauqua, New York.
“It's all been memorable for me so far this year, and I am just so proud of the work ethic that Aubreye has shown throughout this whole season,” said Jason Hyatt. “From holing out for eagle in the fall at the Millikin Invite in Decatur to finishing runner-up at the Region IV tournament this spring, she just shows that through hard work and dedication that you can improve. I only see more success happening in the future for Aubreye–on the course and in the classroom!”