KENOSHA, WIS. – For the second time in three years, the University of Missouri-St. Louis men’s golf team has earned a spot in the NCAA Division II Championship.
The Tritons recorded a third place finish at the NCAA Midwest/Central Regional, held Monday-Wednesday, at Strawberry Creek Country Club, and are one of five teams from the regional advancing to NCAA Championship May 20-24 at the Hershey Country Club in Hershey, Pa.
It marks the eighth NCAA Championship appearance for the program. UMSL recorded a 15th place finish in 2011, which also came under the direction of fourth-year head coach Troy Halterman.
UMSL finished with a 54-hole score of 866 (283-290-293), seven strokes behind team champion Central Missouri (287-287-285 – 859). The Mules used a late surge to fend off Central Oklahoma (289-294-291 – 864), who placed second.
Fellow Great Lakes Valley Conference member Bellarmine (285-294-295 – 874) and Southwestern Oklahoma State (295-287-293 – 875), placed fourth and fifth, respectively, and also advance to the National Championship.
Junior Joe Atkisson, who competed in last year’s regional as an individual and placed 95th, took home a third place finish this year, carding a six-under par 210 (68-70-72), bettering his own 54-hole school record of 214, set at the GLVC Championship earlier this season.
Medalist honors went to Central Missouri’s Ryan Hughey, who finished 13 strokes under par with a 203 (65-69-69) to lead the field of 108 competitors.
Junior Warren Crow (68-74-77) and senior Chase Smith (73-72-74) tied for 18th place, each shooting a 219, while freshmen David Abolt tied for 24th place with a 221 (74-74-73). Freshman Colby Yates rounded out the scoring with a 225 (74-77-74), tying for 53rd place.
