May 13, 2003
The University of Kentucky men’s golf team is taking a trip it has not taken in a decade. The Cats are heading to the NCAA Men’s Regional Golf Tournament for the first time since 1993. The Cats will begin play on Thursday, May 15, at Kansas State’s par-72 Colbert Hills Golf Club in Manhattan. Regional championships will consist of 54 holes and will conclude on Saturday.
“This is just incredible,” Coach Brian Craig said. “I am so proud of this entire team. They have worked so hard this year and now they are being rewarded for that hard work.”
Making the trip for UK will be senior Ryan Coyne, sophomores Mark Blakefield, John Holmes and Brandon Waldrop and freshman Matt Kohn.
Holmes led the Cats this season carding six top-10 finishes, including a second-place finish in November’s Fall Beach Classic, leading Kentucky to its first win under Craig, who is in his second year. Waldrop is just behind Holmes with five top-10 finishes. The transfer from Western Kentucky has made a positive impact on this year’s team, while playing in all 12 of UK’s tournaments. Kohn is UK’s lone medalist this season after winning the Marshall Invitational Tournament. He is the second consecutive Kentucky freshman to win individual honors in Huntington. Holmes accomplished the feat last year. Coyne has three top-10 finishes this season and Blakefield was UK’s highest finisher at last month’s Southeastern Conference Tournament.
Kentucky earned the 14th seed in the 27-team Central Region, while Texas earned the top spot. The top-10 teams and top-two individuals, from three separate regions, will advance to the National Championship in Stillwater, Okla. The Cats have eight top-10 finishes in their 12 tournaments.
Fans may follow all of this week’s action live on golfstat.com.
Central Region Field (Seed)
Texas (1)
TCU (2)
Oklahoma State (3)
North Carolina (4)
Minnesota (5)
NC State (6)
Oklahoma (7)
Arkansas (8)
Illinois (9)
Northwestern (10)
SMU (11)
Baylor (12)
Tulsa (13)
KENTUCKY (14)
Lamar (15)
Toledo (16)
Michigan State (17)
Wichita State (18)
North Texas (19)
Texas A&M (20)
Ohio State (21)
Kent State (22)
Texas Tech (23)
Kansas (24)
Missouri (25)
Kansas State (26)
Wright State (27)
