Texas Tech Golf Set for NCAA Championships
May 27, 2002 | Men's Golf
May 27, 2002
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NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS The No. 44 Texas Tech University Red Raiders travel to Columbus, Ohio, to compete in the NCAA Championships on May 29-June 1 at Ohio State's Scarlet Course. In addition to Texas Tech, the 30-team field includes: Arizona, Auburn, Augusta State, Baylor, Clemson, Colorado, Florida, Fresno State, Georgia, Georgia Southern, Georgia Tech, Illinois, Minnesota, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Carolina State, Oklahoma State, Pacific, Pepperdine, Purdue, TCU, Texas, Toledo, Tulsa, UAB, UNLV, VCU, Virginia Tech and Washington. Play is scheduled for 18 holes each day with practice rounds on Monday and Tuesday.
TEXAS TECH IN NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP PLAY Throughout the history of Red Raider golf, six teams have advanced to the NCAA Championships. The last showing came in 1976, when Tech finished 15th in Albuquerque, N.M. The best finish for a Texas Tech golf team in the NCAA Championships was a seventh-place showing in the 1959 championships in Eugene, Ore. Texas Tech returns this year to the city where it competed in its first NCAA Championships 46 years ago.
THE ROAD TO COLUMBUS Texas Tech (298-297-287 - 882) finished in a tie for 10th place at the NCAA West Regional May 17-19 at The University Course in Albuquerque, N.M., and advanced to the NCAA Championships by virtue of a one-hole playoff win against San Diego State.
DOWN TO THE WIRE Tech's bid for a spot in this week's event came down to approximately 25 feet. Senior Kyle Willmann (Edmond, Okla.), playing in the final group of the day, needed to birdie No. 18 in Albuquerque to send the Red Raiders into a playoff with San Diego State for the 10th and final invitation. Willman's challenge -- a 25-foot uphill putt with a slight break to the right. Obviously, Willmann hit the putt, and the rest is history.
FAMILIAR FACES The Big 12 Conference is the most-represented league in the 2002 NCAA Championships with five teams making the trek to Columbus. Baylor, Colorado, Oklahoma State and Texas join Texas Tech in the 30-team field.
RED RAIDERS IN THE RANKINGS Texas Tech enters the NCAA Championships ranked 44th in the latest Golfweek/Sagarin Team Ratings. Senior David Bolen (Austin, Texas) is ranked 77th individually, while Willmann comes in at 131st. Tech also is ranked sixth in District 6 by Golfweek.com.
THE LINEUP Texas Tech's lineup for the NCAA Championships features seniors Bolen and Willmann, juniors Mark Hull (San Antonio, Texas) and Brooks Kelly (Sierra Vista, Ariz.), and sophomore Brad Jacobson (Hayti, S.D.).
BOLEN TAKING THE REINS Bolen has been the most consistent player for the Red Raiders, finishing in the top 20 of 13 events seven times, including medalist honors at the Cardinal Classic. Bolen is averaging 72.3 strokes per round and shot a career-low 65 in the opening round of the fall season at the Mid-Pines Classic in Raleigh, N.C. He also carded a 66 in the second round of the SFA Crown Classic in Lufkin, Texas, during the fall season. Bolen tied for 23rd last week at the NCAA West Regional.
WILLMANN FINISHES STRONG Following a first-place finish at the Mid-Pines Classic in the first event of the fall season, Willmann managed only one top 10 finish and two top 20 finishes in the next nine tournaments. He turned his game around at the Big 12 Championships in late April with a tie for sixth and followed with a tie for second at The Maxwell the next weekend. He finished second among the Red Raiders with a 16th-place tie at the NCAA West Regional. Willmann is second on the team with a 72.9 stroke average.
KELLY LOOKING TO BUILD ON REGIONAL SHOWING Among the players for Texas Tech who have played this season, only one ranks below Kelly in events played. Kelly, one of the final 16 in the 2001 U.S. Amateur, played in four events in the fall, but struggled in the spring, making only two appearances. His first tournament of the spring came at The Maxwell two and half weeks ago. Kelly finished tied for 53rd in that event, but turned around and played the best tournament of his career at the NCAA West Regional. Kelly led the Red Raiders with an eighth-place tie and shot back-to-back rounds of 70 to close the event. His three-day total of 216 is a personal best. Kelly is averaging 74.3 strokes this year and last week's top 10 finish was his first this year.
IN TOUCH WITH THE RED RAIDERS IN COLUMBUS Tournament scoring will be available live via the Internet at two locations: www.texastech.com or www. golfstat.com. There will be a live stats link on the front page of the Texas Tech website. Daily reports also will be updated at the conclusion of each round.