May 18, 2010
By Doug Richards
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - Since claiming their second-straight Conference USA Championship in late April, there has been little down time for the UCF men's golf team. The Knights completed final exams, competed in their final regular-season event of the year and have spent ample time practicing in preparations for the NCAA Regionals.
The Knights were selected to play in the regionals in San Diego, Calif., and will head to the west coast Tuesday. The three-day tournament begins Thursday.
Six regional events will be played across the country. Head coach Bryce Wallor was not too concerned about where his squad would be placed, but was happy with UCF's final destination.
"For us, from the standpoint of weather, I was really satisfied to learn that we were going to California. If you went to Washington, or went to Connecticut, you could really get some cold days. Our guys experience warm weather all of the time, and it is nice to stay in a warm weather climate," Wallor said.
All five of the golfers in UCF's lineup for San Diego - seniors Simon Ward (County Monaghan, Ireland) and Devin Spies, junior Nuno Henriques (Funchal, Portugal) and sophomores Connor Arendell (Cape Coral, Fla.) and Brad Schneider (Valrico, Fla.) - all possess regional experience. Ward, Spies and Schneider played for the Knights in the regionals a year ago, Henriques competed for UCF in 2008 and Arendell was a member of Louisville's team that participated in the regionals last season. That experience should help the Knights in California.
"I think it is valuable, Wallor said. "Any athletics team, you only have so many chances to play in what is considered your NCAA Championship. Having every one of our guys having that experience should be a beneficial thing for us."
Wallor said that his golfers have been working extremely hard since taking the conference title. The Knights are hoping to play well and San Diego, and become one of five squads that advances to the NCAA Championship, which will be held in Chattanooga, Tenn., in early June.
"Work ethic for this team has never been an issue. These guys go out and work hard," Wallor said. "If I give them the day off on the weekends and I go out to the practice facility, they are out there practicing. They stay after practice. They get there before practice. The work ethic on our team is very strong. I am very proud of them for that."
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.