Auburn to compete on home course
As expected, both the University of Alabama and Auburn University men’s golf teams were included in the upcoming NCAA men’s golf regional tournaments.
Auburn, ranked No. 13 nationally, will host a regional at the AU Club, while Alabama travels to Norman, Oklahoma as the No. 3 seed in that field. Also in the field at the Auburn regional will be No. 1 seed. Vanderbilt is the No. 12 seed; Tennessee is No. 24; Colorado State is No. 25; Ohio State,. Also receiving bids were Washington, TCU, Chattanooga, Houston, Marquette, Indiana, Augusta and Siena.
The AU Club regional is the lone field to feature five team ranked inside the top 25 of Golfstat’s latest poll
In addition to Alabama, the Norman Regional will include No. 1 seed Texas Tech, who is ranked No. 5 in the nation; No. 2 seed Oklahoma,;No. 3 Alabama; No. 4 Ole Miss; and No. 5 Wake Forest. Other teams invited are include Duke, LSU, North Florida, Colorado, Kansas, UNCW, Louisiana, Princeton and Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
Both regionals are 54 holes and are scheduled for May 15-17. It’s the 17th regional for Alabama under coach Jay Seawell and 25th overall.
Alabama travels to Norman, Oklahoma
“We are excited to continue our season and earn the No. 3 seed at the Norman regional,” Seawell said. “It’s a tough regional when you look at the number of really good golf teams, so it will be a challenge to finish in the top five. But our guys are up for that challenge and excited for the opportunity. We have set our focus on being prepared and getting our game and minds set on the task at hand.”
The top five teams and the low individual not on an advancing team from each regional site will advance to the NCAA Division I Men’s Golf Championships hosted by Arizona State University in Scottsdale, Arizona, at the Grayhawk Golf Club, from May 26-31
Auburn coach Nick Clinard hopes a home-course advantage will help the Tigers advance to the national tournament
“It’s an incredible field,” he said. “We’ve got a lot of great teams, great coaches and great players. We’re looking forward to the opportunity of hosting at home and playing alongside some strong competition. The course is newly redone and in great shape. We’re still learning it ourselves but excited to have that home course knowledge in our back pockets.”
Cliard’s Auburn teams have reached the NCAA Championship final 9 times
Under Clinard, Auburn has appeared in 13 consecutive NCAA tournaments (excluding the cancelation of 2020) and has made 23 straight appearances as a program, dating back to the 2000 season. The Tigers have advanced to the NCAA Championship 27 times in the team’s history, including nine under Clinard.
“It’s really exciting to be able to play such a crucial part of our season at home,” senior Alex Vogelsong said. “Everyone’s games are looking really good right now. Our bonds and team chemistry are great. We’re just looking to keep it rolling and punch our ticket to the national championship.”
Three players from in-state schools received individual invitations to the regional – Troy’s Brantley Scott, Jacksonville State’s Erik Jansson and South Alabama’s Hugo Thyr.
Gregg Dewalt is the editor of Alabama Golf News
Have a story idea or a news item to report to Alabama Golf News? Email bamagolfnews@gmail.com
Featured image courtesy of Auburn Athletics
