Men’s Golf Advances to Nationals

TEMPE, Ariz.  For the sixth consecutive year and the 29th time in program history, the Texas A&M men’s golf team has advanced to the NCAA National Championship as the Aggies posted a fourth-place finish on Sunday at the NCAA Tempe Regional.

“Our guys played fantastic today,” Texas A&M head coach J.T. Higginssaid.” They really came out and executed the game plan so well. Golf doesn’t lend itself to perfection very often but we did such a good job of keep the ball in play off the tee, hitting the right spots and converting on the keys to your hole. Our guys made it look easy at times out there today. That’s what we talked about last night and they went out an executed. For all that we’ve been through this year, I couldn’t be happier for our guys.”

The Aggies (280-277-272=829, -11) teamed up to shoot the day’s second lowest team round at eight-under par, finishing behind tournament champion UCLA (268-273-269=810, -30), Georgia (280-274-273=827, -13) and UCF (280-272-275=827, -13). The top five schools in the standings, which included tournament host Arizona State (284-274-274=832, -8) in fifth place, advance to the NCAA Championship which will take place on Atlanta’s Capital City Crabapple Course on May 28-June 2.

Johannes Veerman (67-70-66=203, -7) finished an impressive showing at the event, ending play in a tie for fourth place after a final round four-under par 66, a season low for the junior. The Sugar Land, Texas, native’s day was highlighted by five birdies as well as an eagle on the par-five 17th hole.

Sophomore Ty Dunlap (73-69-66=208, -2) joined Veerman in going under par and collecting his season-low round on Saturday, firing a 66 as well to finish in a tie for 17th place.

“Both Johannes and Ty got off to great starts and didn’t give anything back early,” Higgins added. “I think the other guys were able to catch a little momentum from them and it took a little pressure off, knowing that we were out to a great start and under par. They both played so well and are extremely talented young men. They looked like professionals out there.”

Senior Cameron Peck (68-73-70=211, +1) completed the event in 29th place while classmate Drew Evans(74-72-70=216, +6) wound up tied for 45th. Sophomore Greg Yates (72-66-82=220, +10) could not carry the momentum of a second-round 66 into Sunday, shooting 82 on his final run through the course to finish in a tie for 54th.

Texas A&M, the 2009 National Champion, will carry an impressive run of success into the National Championship as the Aggies are one of only two programs nationally (USC) to have finished in the top 1

Story courtesy of Texas A&M Athletics

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