Texas Tech University Athletics
The Quest For Nationals Begins
May 19, 2004 | Men's Golf
May 19, 2004
LUBBOCK, Texas - The Red Raider men's golf team will head to West Lafayette, Ind., May 20-22 to fight for it's chance to advance to the national championships. Unfortunately the team's road will not be easy, as the 36th-ranked men's golf team enters regionals as the 12th seed. The team's challenge begins tomorrow at the 2004 NCAA Central Regional on the greens of the Birck Boilermaker Golf Complex.
The Red Raiders must overcome some of the top seeds to advance, as only the top 10 from the three regions (East, Central, West) will advance to nationals in Hot Springs, Va. Virginia Tech will serve as the 2004 host.
Heading into the competition sophomore Andrew Dresser, who currently ranks 55th-nationally, leads the Red Raiders with a 71.82 stroke-average. Dresser is no stranger to regional competition. The 2003 regional was the site for three personal records for Dresser, including lowest 54-hole score of 211 and round of 67. True freshman Oscar Floren currently ranks in the top 20 of the Big 12 in individual standings with a 72.58. Floren has been Tech's top finisher in two of the last three tournaments, and currently stands as Tech's No.2 golfer.
Joining Dresser and Floren are junior Chris Pace and sophomore William Haddrell. Tech's Pace and Haddrell enter the competition with individual averages of 73.80 and 74.42, respectively. Rounding out the last of the Red Raiders is senior Brad Jacobson. Jacobson is the only member of the team that has experienced nationals, and will be looked at for his leadership if the Raiders advance. Jacobson posts a 73.56 stroke average.
Tech is very familiar with this year's Central Regional competition, as seven teams are Big 12 conference foes. The Big 12 and the SEC tied for the nation's most teams being selected for this year's regionals.
Leading the nation's best at the Central Regionals is No.8 Oklahoma State, No.9 Texas, No.10 TCU, No.13 Minnesota and No.17 Oklahoma.
This year's field of teams not only boasts high team rankings, but carries with them a large arsenal of ranked individuals. Tech will face 13 individually nationally ranked golfers. Leading the pack is No.6 Chris Stroud of Lamar, No. 7 Jason Hartwick of Texas, No.12 Casey Wittenberg of Oklahoma State, No.13 John Holmes of Kentucky, No.14 Jeff Overton of Indiana and No. 19 Anthony Kim of Oklahoma.
Fans can view results throughout the NCAA Central Regional by logging onto Texas Tech's official athletics website at www.texastech.com and clicking on the link "Live Stats" under Men's Golf in the Upcoming Events calendar.
Competition will begin at the Birck Boilermaker Golf Complex (7,259 yards, Par 72) Thurs., May 20, with a 7:12 a.m. CST start. The 54-hole event is scheduled to be a three day event, 18 holes per day.
CENTRAL REGIONALBirck Boilermaker Golf Course in West Lafayette, IndianaHosted by Purdue University
Teams (National Rank): 1. Oklahoma State (8) 2. Texas (9) 3. TCU (10) 4. Minnesota (13) 5. Oklahoma (17) 6. Kentucky (22) 7. Arkansas (23) 8. Kansas (25) 9. Tulsa (31) 10. Colorado (32) 11. Southern Methodist (33) 12. Texas Tech (36) 13. Kansas State (35) 14. Baylor (41) 15. Texas A&M (47) 16. Xavier (54) 17. Illinois (39) 18. Ohio State (45) 19. Purdue (52) 20. Kent State (50) 21. Wichita State (46) 22. Indiana (40) 23. Lamar (62) 24. Notre Dame (94) 25. Princeton (139) 26. Western Illinois (162) 27. Jackson State (198)
Players Mentioned
