May 6, 2013
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The University of Kentucky men’s golf team was selected to the 2013 NCAA Regionals for the first time since 2009 and the seventh time under the direction of head coach Brian Craig. The Wildcats will travel to Fayetteville, Ark., where they will compete at The Blessing Golf Club May 16-18. The course is a par-72 with a 7,251 yard layout.
“We are thrilled to be going to The Blessings in Arkansas,” Craig said. “I have not been there but have heard it is a great course and extremely difficult. That is perfect for this team. We will spend the next week getting ready to play our best and go represent the Big Blue Nation like champions.”
The 14-team field features the defending national champions in Texas and the host school and fellow Southeastern Conference foe Arkansas. The remainder of the field includes Oklahoma State, SMU, Kent State, Illinois, Liberty, Tulsa, Colorado, Indiana, UNC-Wilmington, UMKC and Alabama State.
UK heads into the regional finishing in the top-10 in 10 of its 11 tournaments on the year. Junior Stephen Powers led Kentucky on the year with five top-20 finishes, including four in the top-10. Junior Ben Stow, who didn’t become eligible until the spring season, placed in the top-20 in four of his seven tournaments. Sophomore Will Bishop recorded the highest finish of the year for the Cats, winning the Querencia Cabo Collegiate with a score of 2-under-par.
Six 54-hole regional tournaments will be conducted May 16-18. There will be 13 teams and 10 individuals not on those teams competing at each of three regionals, while the other three regionals will have 14 teams and five individuals not on those teams. The low five teams and the low individual not on those teams from each regional will advance to the finals.
The finals are scheduled for May 28-June 2, at The Capital City Club, Crabapple Course in Atlanta, Georgia. Georgia Tech is the host institution for this year’s championships.
Teams and individual seeds are listed below. Conference automatic qualifiers are indicated in a parenthesis.
For more information on the University of Kentucky men’s golf team please visit UKathletics.com and follow on twitter @UKMensGolf.
2013 NCAA Regional
May 16-18, Fayetteville, Ark.
The Blessing Golf Club
Course: Par-72, 7,251-yards
Teams:
1. Texas (Big 12)
2. Arkansas
3. Oklahoma State
4. SMU
5. Kent State (MAC)
6. Illinois (Big Ten)
7. Liberty
8. Tulsa
9. Kentucky
10. Colorado
11. Indiana
12. UNC-Wilmington (Colonial Athletic)
13. UMKC (Summit League)
14. Alabama State (Southwestern Athletic)
Individuals:
1. Chris Gilbert, Kansas
2. Mitchell McLeroy, Stephen F. Austin
3. Pep Angles, Central Arkansas
4. Patrick Newcomb, Murray State
5. Paul McConnell, Texas-Arlington
