Hours into a single drill, with the sun setting on the golf course at Berry Creek, Cade Osgood sunk a final putt on the practice greens. 

The moment came early in Osgood's Southwestern University golf career, when a group of teammates challenged him to complete 18 consecutive up-and-downs: the act of chipping from just outside the green and sinking a putt in two strokes. 

"Andrew [Augustine] and one of the seniors said I couldn't do it," Osgood recalled. "Everyone else went out and played, but I stayed behind because I really felt I had to prove I could do it." 

After almost five hours dedicated to replicating a singular task 18 consecutive times, Osgood finally made good. 

"To make 18 in a row is ridiculous—almost impossible, really," Head Coach Greg Sigler said. "But that shows you the kind of person Cade is. If he sets his mind to something, he's going to get it done." 

Over the past four years, Osgood has rewritten the record books and led the team with his commitment and dedication. Even in a shortened senior season, Osgood compiled a list of athletic and academic achievements seemingly as long as his booming drives of the tees. 

In his final season at Southwestern, Osgood set a school record for individual season scoring average: 71.62 This earned Osgood First Team All-American honors for the second time in his career. It was his third consecutive All-American nod; he was awarded Second Team All-American during the 2018–2019 season. 

He is one of five finalists for the Jack Nicklaus National Player of the Year award for the second time in his career. Osgood also won the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) Elite 19 award, which recognizes the student–athlete with the best combination of academic and athletic achievement for each sport in the conference.

And now, he is the Southwestern University 2020 Dr. Tex Kassen Men's Athlete of the Year. 

"Cade Osgood is one of the finest student–athletes we've had at Southwestern," Director of Athletics Glenn Schwab said. "His impact on the team is unmatched, and his skill, talent, and leadership are unsurpassed."

Osgood owns three of the four best individual scoring seasons in school history, finishing as the program's all-time career record holder for scoring average: at 73.44 through 84 rounds, he edged out former teammate Sutherland Stith, who graduated in 2019. 

He has finished par or better in a school-record 34 rounds, finishing 15 better than Cody Hebert, who previously held the record. Osgood also holds the career record for most birdies (253) and eagles (8). 

"Cade is the best student–athlete I've ever coached. On the course and off, he lives golf," Sigler said. "He did everything right. His practice habits were unmatched. Nobody outworked him. Physically, he made himself one of the strongest players we've had."

As much as Osgood accomplished individually, and as much as golf is an individual sport, perhaps Osgood's greatest accomplishment is contributing to the team culture that led to back-to-back SCAC Championships and consecutive NCAA Championships appearances. 

"He wasn't a vocal leader, but he definitely led by example," Sigler said. "We'd qualify, and after 18 holes, he'd go back to the putting green and chip until dark. Nobody outworked him."

Osgood would be in the gym at 6:45 in the morning for workouts and out at the course until dark, honing his craft and setting the tone for his teammates. 

"I've tried my best to be a team player," Osgood said. "When I get here, we weren't necessarily doing that. When I play, I like to see other players keeping their heads up the entire time, never showing weakness, always keeping the morale going." 

To play for the team in collegiate golf is to keep pushing through adversity and finishing strong, knowing every hole counts toward your team's totals. 

"The last tournament we played, he had a triple-bogey late in the final round," Sigler said. "I didn't have to tell him anything, his mentality never changed. He birdied four of the next five holes. A lot of people would quit after a triple but he never gives up." 

Whether spending almost five hours to accomplish 18 up-and-downs or four years compiling a storied collegiate career, no one should doubt Osgood's ability to get things done.