Wake Forest University
NCAA Tucson Regional
Back Nine Surge Sends Deacs to NCAA Championships
5/18/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
By Wake Forest Athletic Communications (@WakeMGolf)
MARANA, Ariz. – The Wake Forest men's golf team advanced to the NCAA Championship with a fifth place finish at the NCAA Tucson Regional. The Demon Deacons shot 6-under during Wednesday's final round at The Gallery Golf Club to finish 1-under for the tournament.
The Deacs will be one of 30 teams competing at the NCAA Championship, held May 27-June 1 in Eugene, Ore. Wake Forest advanced from regional play for the 16th time since the current format was adopted in 1989.
Wake Forest needed a late surge on the back nine to advance from Tucson. As they made the turn, the Demon Deacons were seven strokes out of the fifth and final qualifying place. The four scoring players played the back nine in 6-under, posting a combined eight birdies and two eagles, to move up into fifth place by the end of the round.
"We are thrilled to be NCAA bound," said head coach Jerry Haas. "We had a great rally on the last nine holes. I am so proud that the players hung in there. This was a big step for a young team and we can't wait to get out to Eugene and get started at the NCAAs with a clean slate."
Freshman Kyle Sterbinsky and sophomore Paul McBride each posted a 3-under round of 69 on Wednesday to lead the Demon Deacons. Both finished T-12th on the individual leaderboard at 1-under for tournament.
Also finishing T-12th was senior Davis Womble, who posted a final round 73. He led the charge on the back nine, shooting 3-under with a birdie and eagle on the two par-5s after shooting 4-over on the front nine.
Freshman Cameron Young posted his best round of the week with a final round 71, birdieing two of the final three holes to finish his round under par.
Sophomore Will Zalatoris completed the Demon Deacon lineup, shooting a 4-over 76.
Stanford, Oregon, UAB and California joined the Demon Deacons as the five teams to advance from the NCAA Tucson Regional.
The NCAA Championship will be held May 27-June 1 at the Eugene Country Club. All 30 teams will play the first three rounds on May 27-29 before the field is cut to the top 15 teams for the fourth round on May 30. The top eight teams will compete in match play for the national championship, with quarterfinals and semifinals on May 31 and the final on June 1. Golf Channel will air the tournament live, beginning with the fourth round.
Players Mentioned
