The Grand Canyon University men’s golf team clinched their spot in the NCAA Championships with a third place finish at the NCAA D-II Men’s South Central/West Championship at The Home Course in Dupont, Wash. The Par-72 course measured 7,138 yards.
The Antelopes shot a 3-under 285 today and finished the 54-hole event with an 8-under 856. CSU Monterey Bay led throughout and finished with a 10-under 854. Western Washington took second (855), while Colorado - Colorado Springs (861) and Cal State Stanislaus (863) finished fourth and fifth, respectively.
The top five teams in the 20-team field and top two individuals not with a qualifying team advanced to the NCAA Championships, which will be held on May 20-24 at the Hershey Country Club in Hershey, Pa.
“I am really proud of these guys, said GCU coach Mark Mueller. “This was a true team effort and they all fought hard and left nothing out there every day.”
Liam Brace was the highest placed Antelope after a three-round score of 3-under 213. He fired a 4-under 68 today, after his 71 in round two. Brace had six birdies today.
“Liam has worked very hard to get to this point and it is fun to see his hard work pay off,” said Mueller.
Western Washington’s Kyle Schrader was the regional medalist using a 6-under 66 today to finish with a 10-under 206.
GCU’s
Jimmy Kozikowski carded a 71 today, after his impressive 70 yesterday, to finish in a tie for 16
th with a 1-under 215.
“Jimmy fought back after a rough start today,” added Mueller. “I was really proud how hard he fought today and came back to have his score count.
Mark Geddes started us off the right way on Monday. He had a tough day yesterday, but he is one of the toughest competitors I have ever seen and I knew having him go off first today was really going to set the pace for us today. He got off to a great start and the rest of the guys really fed off of that.
Alec Dahlquist was steady all three days and was in it every day with how good he hits it. He is never out of it and his positive attitude really helps him. Liam and
Ryan Mahoney both struggled in the conference tournament, but they bounced back in a big way. Ryan kept us in the tournament the first two days and Liam brought us home today.”
Grand Canyon will be making their second consecutive trip to the NCAA Championships. The Antelopes have gone to the championships in six of the past eight seasons, including four-straight years from 2006-09.
“Looking ahead to nationals, if we have two great weeks of practice and preparation and play up to our capability, we will have a shot to win the whole deal and that is very special," Mueller added.
Live scoring for the entire NCAA Championships will be available at
www.GCULopes.com.
Team Results
Individual Results
Combined Results