ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) – The American Athletic Conference announced its all-conference selections Thursday as Manuel Elvira, Kyler Tate, and Bobby Bai each earned accolades for their performance on the course over the 2018 season.
"We are so excited for our guys to earn this honor," said head coach Bryce Wallor. "These three young men embody what is great about our program and college athletics. We could not be happier to see them recognized for their success."
This will be Elvira's third consecutive all-conference recognition as he caps off his career with the Knights. The senior finished seventh in The American Conference Championships with a score of 214, just one over par.
In 11 events played this season, Elvira averaged 74.3 strokes per round with a low round of 68 at the Gator Invitational. The Santander, Spain native had his best finish at the FGCU Invitational where he finished tied for fifth with teammate Juuso Kahlos and was the top finisher for the Knights in three tournaments.
For Tate, this is his first conference honors in his second season with the program. This season, the junior proved to be a consistent competitor for the Knights holding the lowest average of 72.5 strokes per 18. Tate shot par or better in 16 rounds this season, pacing the UCF squad and had the lowest round score of 61, which he recorded at the Jackrabbit Invitational.
Tate was UCF's top finisher in four of the eleven events and registered his best finish of the season at the Hartford Hawks Invitational finishing second with a score of 209 (-1), helping the Knights be crowned champions as they shot 28 under par.
Tate capped of the regular season with six top 20 finishes and four top 10 finishes, both of which led the Knights during the 2018 campaign.
For Bai, this is his second consecutive all-conference honors after he was also recognized as Freshman of the Year from The American last season.
The Shantou, China native had a standout sophomore season competing in 10 events representing UCF with an average of 73.3 strokes per round. Bai collected his lowest round of the season shooting 63 at the Jackrabbit Invitational and recorded the lowest 54-hole score for the Knights with a 206.
In the Knights' final regular season tournament at the Boilermaker Invitational in West Lafayette, Ind., Bai earned his first career win after finishing in the top spot in the field of 93 beating out three top 50 golfers. Bai finished with a 139 for 36 holes shooting 70 (-2) for the first 18 and a 69 (-3) for the second round to take the trophy.
The Knights are currently preparing for the NCAA Kissimmee Regional, which is hosted by UCF May 14-16 at The Reunion Resort. The event will be free to attend. For fans unable to attend, live scoring will be available via Golfstat.com.
Each year, 81 teams and 45 individuals are selected to compete in the six NCAA Men's Regional Championships. Thirty teams and six individuals will then advance from regional sites to the national championships held in Stillwater, Okla.
