May 9, 2011

2011 NCAA Division I Men's Golf Championship Field (NCAA.com)

WACO, Texas - Baylor men's golf will make its 14th consecutive NCAA postseason appearance after earning a bid Monday to compete at the 2011 NCAA Florida Regional in Ocala, Fla. Ranked No. 42 by Golfstat, Baylor has won two tournaments this season, while posting six top-five finishes in 12 events.

Baylor, the No. 7 seed, is one of 14 teams tabbed for the Florida-hosted regional, which will be played May 19-21 at Golden Ocala Golf Club. Joining the Bears in Florida will be host Florida, Augusta State, Arkansas, Oregon, N.C. State, UCF, Kennesaw State, Notre Dame, Missouri, Southeastern Louisiana, Jacksonville State, Georgia Southern and Jackson State.

"Our goal is to give ourselves a chance at a top-five spot heading into the final day like we did last year," head coach Greg Priest said. "I like where we stand; we took care of business to get into postseason play. Now we have to take advantage of the opportunity."

Prior to its 14th straight regional selection, Baylor finished seventh at the Big 12 Championship in Hutchinson, Kan. Last season, Baylor advanced to the NCAA Championship for only the fifth time in program history after defeating Georgia in a playoff at the NCAA South Central Regional in Bryan, Texas. The Bears tied for 25th the 2010 NCAA Championship in Ooltewah, Tenn.

Six 54-hole regional tournaments will be conducted May 19-21. Thirteen teams and 10 individuals not on those teams will compete 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 an advancing team from each regional will advance to the finals. The other five regional sites include: Erie, Colo. (Colorado National GC); Tucson, Ariz. (Omni Tucson National); Radford, Va. (Pete Dye River Course of Virginia Tech); Zionsville, Ind. (Wolf Run GC); and Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. (The Farms GC).

"All those years before (2010), we kept getting closer and closer to advancing to nationals," Priest said. "And last year, we finally broke through. The guys have confidence that we can make it and they expect to make it every year.

"That's the biggest difference from years past," Priest said. "We have the confidence we need; now it's time to play our game."

The 114th annual NCAA Division I Men's Golf Championship will be held May 31-June 5 at Karsten Creek Golf Course in Stillwater, Okla., and will be hosted by Oklahoma State.

NCAA FLORIDA REGIONAL (OCALA, FLA./GOLDEN OCALA GOLF CLUB)
Hosted by Florida
Teams
1. Florida (SEC)
2. Augusta State
3. Arkansas
4. Oregon
5. N.C. State
6. UCF (Conference USA)
7. BAYLOR
8. Kennesaw State (Atlantic Sun)
9. Notre Dame (Big East)
10. Missouri
11. Southeastern Louisiana
12. Jacksonville State (Ohio Valley)
13. Georgia Southern (Southern)
14. Jackson State (SWAC)

Individuals
1. Philipp Fendt, Louisiana-Lafayette
2. Jack Hiluta, South Alabama
3. Jacobo Pastor, Charleston Southern
4. Andrew Noto, Louisiana-Lafayette
5. Bradley Story, Alabama A&M