May 05, 2003
The Texas A&M men's golf team has been invited to the NCAA Central Regional May 15-17 at Colbert Hills Golf Course in Manhattan, Kan.
The top 10 teams from each of three regionals will advance to the NCAA Championships May 28-31 in Stillwater, Okla. The NCAA East Regional will be in Auburn, Ala., and the NCAA West Regional will be in Auburn, Wash. The top two individuals from non-qualifying teams in each regional also will advance to the national tournament.
"We are excited to make regional play and to have a chance to advance to nationals," A&M coach J.T. Higgins said. "Our players have really worked hard and deserve this opportunity. I also like the fact that we played a tournament at Colbert Hills last fall so we know how tough it can be. We hope that gives us an advantage over some of the teams that haven't played there."
A&M finished ninth at the Jim Colbert Intercollegiate played at Colbert Hills last fall led by senior Shaun Helmle, who finished second individually.
In addition to A&M, the 27-team Central Regional field includes Texas, TCU, Oklahoma State, North Carolina, Minnesota, North Carolina State, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Illinois, Northwestern, SMU, Baylor, Tulsa, Kentucky, Lamar, Toledo, Michigan State, Wichita State, North Texas, Iowa State, Kent State, Texas Tech, Kansas, Missouri, Kansas State and Wright State.
A&M has advanced to NCAA regionals 12 times in the 15 years since regional play began in 1989. The Aggies did not advance to regionals last season.
The last time A&M advanced to the NCAA Championships was in 1997 when the Aggies finished third in regional play, then placed 13th at nationals. A&M won the NCAA Central Regional in Ann Arbor, Mich., in 1996.
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