May 11, 2009
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - On Thursday, the UCF men's golf team will return to action for the first time since the Knights claimed the Conference USA Championship title when NCAA Regional play begins at the RedTail Golf Club in nearby Sorrento. UCF is hosting the three-day, three-round regional along with the Central Florida Sports Commission.
Fourteen teams will be in action at RedTail. The site is one of six 54-hole regional tournaments that will be conducted across the nation. The low five teams and the low individual not on those teams from each location will advance to the NCAA Championship, which is set for May 27-30 in Toledo, Ohio.
Admission to the regional is free. Live statistics will be available throughout the event on Golfstat.com.
Georgia
The top-ranked Bulldogs have won five tournaments this year, including the Southeastern Conference Championship in April. In October, Georgia picked up a victory in central Florida, claiming the Isleworth Collegiate Invitational. Brian Harman is ranked 14th in the country.
Indiana
Led by national player of the year candidate Jorge Campillo, Indiana has won three events in 2008-09. Campillo has nine top-10 finishes on the year.
South Carolina
After tying for fourth at the Southeastern Conference Championship, the Gamecocks won the Cavalier Classic in late April. South Carolina also competed at the Isleworth Collegiate Invitational in the fall.
UCF
The Knights won the Conference USA Championship at RedTail. Simon Ward took medalist honors, followed by Blayne Barber in second. UCF has won three tournaments during the campaign.
Florida State
Florida State posted seven top-10 finishes during the season, posting one victory. In April, the squad placed 10th at the Atlantic Coast Conference Championship.
Arizona
The Wildcats will be making their second trip to the Orlando-area this season. They competed at the Isleworth Collegiate Invitational in the fall and finished 14th.
Augusta State
During the spring, the Jaguars have won two events - the Hootie at Bulls Bay and the Adminstaff ASU Invitational. UCF participated in both of the events.
Kentucky
Kentucky has finished in the top 10 of every tournament this spring, highlighted by the title at the UK Bluegrass Invitational. The Wildcats will be making their third trip to central Florida in 2008-09. The team participated in the Isleworth Collegiate Invitational in the fall and then played at the Rio Pinar Invitational in February. UCF hosted both events.
Georgia Southern
The Eagles won three team titles in 2008-09. Logan Blondell was named the Southern Conference Player of the Year and Drew Lethem took medalist honors at the league championship.
Georgia State
The Panthers finished second at the Colonial Athletic Association Championship in April. Allen John, a freshman, took medalist honors at the event.
Iowa
For the first time since 1995, Iowa will be competing in the NCAA Regionals. The Hawkeyes were one of nine Big Ten Conference programs selected to the postseason.
Charlotte
In April, the 49ers claimed the Atlantic 10 Conference Championship in central Florida, taking the title at the Mission Inn Resort and Golf Club in Howie-in-the-Hills. In October, the team played in the Isleworth Collegiate Invitational in the area. Charlotte finished 18th at the tournament.
Campbell
The Camels took the Atlantic Sun Championship title to earn the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Regionals. Four Campbell golfers finished among the top-14 individuals.
Loyola (Md.)
The Greyhounds qualified for the postseason by winning the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Championship. The tournament was held in central Florida at the Celebration Golf Club.
The regional field also features five individuals, including Zack Sucher of UAB. He placed third at the C-USA Championship at RedTail.
For the latest news on the Knights, log on to UCFAthletics.com - the official site for UCF varsity sports. The site, which also contains ticket and Golden Knights Club donor information, is also the home of UCF's new online apparel store. Also visit UCFPhotos.com, the exclusive fan source for UCF action sports pictures.