May 15, 2013
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The University of Kentucky men’s golf team will tee off at the 2013 NCAA Division I Men’s Golf Championship Thursday morning at the Fayetteville Regional held at Blessings Golf Club in Fayetteville, Ark. Play will begin at 9:00 a.m. ET at the course, which is par-72 and has a 7,251 yard layout.
The regional marks the first time Kentucky has made the NCAA postseason since 2009 and is the seventh appearance for UK under head coach Brian Craig.
“The Blessings in Fayetteville, Ark., is supposed to be the most challenging course one can imagine,” Craig said. “That is perfect for this team. Our best event this season was probably at Muirfield village which is super difficult. We have had solid preparations over the past ten days and the guys are ready for the battle.”
The Wildcats lineup will feature senior Chase Parker, juniors Cody Martin, Stephen Powers and Ben Stow, along with sophomore Will Bishop. The first round of the 54-hole stroke play event will begin on Thursday with 18 holes, followed by a round of 18 on both Friday and Saturday to wrap up the tournament.
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. Powers led Kentucky on the year with five top-20 finishes, including four in the top-10. Stow, who didn’t become eligible until the spring season, placed in the top-20 in four of his seven tournaments. Bishop recorded the highest finish of the year for the Cats, winning the Querencia Cabo Collegiate with a score of 2-under-par.
Martin will start things off for UK, teeing off at 9:50 a.m. ET from hole No. 1. Parker, Bishop, Powers and Stow will follow, respectively, in 10 minute intervals from the first hole.
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.
Fans can follow along with the Fayetteville Regional through updated live scoring on Golfstat.com. 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.
Blessing Golf Club
Course: Par-72, 7,251-yards
Kentucky Lineup:
Ben Stow – 10:30 a.m.
Stephen Powers – 10:20 a.m.
Will Bishop – 10:10 a.m.
Chase Parker – 10:00 a.m.
Cody Martin – 9:50 a.m.
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
