NCAA South/Southeast Super Regional Final Results
CONOVER, N.C. – Soon,
Jeff Evanier can cross one state he's never been to off the list, because he's Kentucky bound.
The rising sophomore made history at the conclusion of the NCAA South/Southeast Super Regional on Wednesday to lead the Eckerd College men's golf program, capping a storybook three-day stretch to punch his ticket for the NCAA Championships to be held next week in Louisville.
Evanier carded a 74 (+2) to finish the regional at 4-under par 212 and combined with a few dramatics with teams and individuals jostling for final position on the leaderboard, there were a few anxious moments coming down the stretch.
Evanier (70-68-74--212) tied for fifth in the field, just two strokes off the pace by medalist Matt Atkins of South Carolina-Aiken.
“I was feeling pretty strong and my game has been pretty solid this whole tournament,” Evanier said. “I was excited for the challenge to hold the lead because I had never been in a situation like that. The rain didn't help very much, but I held it together.”
“My game is to take advantage of the driver because I'm normally one of the longer players out there, but this course was more of target golf and I had to hit certain spots,” he added. “I had an idea (where I was standing) on the 15th green and asked Coach (Buttner) what I needed to do to qualify.”
When the dust settled, Evanier along with J.P. Griffin of Georgia Southwestern University, earned the right to travel to nationals as the top two individuals outside of the qualifying top five teams.
The native of Weston, Conn., entered the final round with two-stroke lead over the entire field after scorching the Jones Course at Rock Barn Golf & Spa for a 68 (-4) that included seven birdies in second-round play.
He will be the first player in the program's history to compete at the NCAA Championships.
Atkins and Jordan Walor of UNC-Pembroke were qualified as individuals, but both of their teams were on the fence for a top-five standing. It turned out both programs were the last two to qualify along with Georgia College & State, Barry University and Nova Southeastern University.
“The dominoes fell in the right way today,” EC Head Coach
Bill Buttner remarked. “Jeff was in trouble for a little bit, but it worked out. When he was on the first tee, it was a downpour and I'm not sure if it caused the bogey on (No.) 1, but the rain started about 15 minutes before he was in the tee box.”
As a team, the Tritons (295-295-305--895) finished in 16th and were the victim of some early-afternoon storms. Eckerd had the final wave of tee-times and while the rain eventually subsided, weather still proved to be a factor as the final round got underway.
Paul Henderson went out with his best round of the tourney, equaling Evanier's 74. He made a birdie going into the turn and finished with nine consecutive pars on his final nine holes to tie for 97th overall.
Senior
Callum Georgallides put the finishing touches on his accomplished collegiate career with a 76 (+4), posting a three-day score of 227.
Curtis Lahey and
Greg Reilly recorded final-round tallies of 83 and 81, respectively.
Evanier will fly out to the Bluegrass State on Sunday and get to know the Cardinal Club Golf Course during a practice round on Monday. He will tee off in the first round on Tuesday, May 15.
“I'm very excited to represent Eckerd; it will be a great experience,” Evanier said. “The team did a great job and we held it together to give ourselves a chance to make nationals as a team.”
