May 16, 2009
Sorrento, Fla. – With a ninth-place finish at the Red Tail Golf Club in NCAA regional play, the Kentucky men’s golf team concludes the 2008-09 season. Senior Andy Winings led the Wildcats with a tournament score of six-under par.
Regional host, Central Florida, led the 14-team field with a team-score of 34-under par. UCF was followed by Georgia, South Carolina and Arizona all tying for second and Iowa took the fifth and final spot to move onto the NCAA Championship. The top five teams from each regional moves on to play for the NCAA title at the Inverness Golf Club in Toledo, Ohio, May 26-30.
In his final appearance as a Wildcat golfer, Andy Winings shot under par in every round of regional play for a final score of 207 (68-69-70). The Brownsburg, Ind., native had 61 rounds at or under par in his celebrated UK career as well as starting every regular-season tournament in his four years with Kentucky. The co-captain led the team with a 73.13 stroke average and two hole-in-one shots as a Wildcat.
“We gave a great effort this week and I could not be prouder of our guys,” head coach Brian Craig said. “We are all disappointed that we did not advance to Toledo but can hold our heads high as we look to improve for next season. I am especially proud of Andy Winings for leading this team for four years. Andy had a phenomenal career as a Wildcat and we wish him well as he enters the world of professional golf. I am also proud of Ben Fuqua and pray that the NCAA accepts our appeal and allows him to come back for one more year as a member of our team.”
Senior Ben Fuqua shot a 69-68-72 to finish with a four-under par and a tie for the 19th spot at the Red Tail Golf Club course. Fuqua eagled both par-fives on the back nine today, Sunday, in a valiant effort to help keep the Wildcats in contention for NCAA Championship play. The homegrown Kentucky native is currently waiting for a ruling from the NCAA about the possibility of coming back next year after red-shirting his sophomore season.
Sophomore James Kania played outstanding golf all weekend, finishing as the third UK player with a sub-par score in the 54-hole regional tournament. Kania carded a 70-71-70 for a one-under par 211 and a share of the 27th spot. The underclassman will be primed for an outstanding junior season after starting every spring season tournament of his sophomore campaign. Hailing from Haverford, Penn., Kania will be joined by his incoming freshman brother, Michael Kania, next fall.
Coming to Kentucky by way of Bowling Green, Ky., junior Jordan Blann concluded his fantastic junior year with a 77-71-73-221, tying for 64th. Blann will be called upon as a senior leader heading into next fall’s season and has proven to be a mighty asset throughout the 2008-09 season, highlighted by being the top Wildcat in the Southeastern Conference Championship by finishing in eighth place with a three-under par.
Kentucky’s Danish import, Mads Kristensen wrapped up his rookie year as a Wildcat by cutting his teeth in NCAA regional play, shooting a 74-76-75-225. Kristensen has started every tournament of his freshman year and the last player to do that was current senior Andy Winings. The freshman finished tied for 69th.
Kentucky men’s golf will take a short break before preparing for the fall 2009-2010 season. Stay tuned to UKathletics.com for information on players and summer tournaments
