Week 5 Recap:
This past weekend saw cold temperatures and rough weather pretty much all around the NCCGA, and some tournaments were postponed another week. In Texas, #9 Golf Academy of America - Dallas pulled out the win with a 744. Tournament medalist, Taylor Johnson (GAA – Dallas) showed that he was not affected by the 40-degree temps with wind and rain Saturday and fired a 73-68 (-1) to run away with the win. #3 Texas put up a solid tournament with a 755, who benefited from the return of their #1 player from last season, Campbell Ross. #6 Baylor was hurt by the absence of club president, Teddy Rettinger who played B team due to a hand injury. His status for the National Championship is Probable. Texas A&M also put together a decent 2-day score at their home course to throw their name in the top 25 mix.
In the Desert Region, #1 ASU struggled in the high desert winds with one of their worst team performances Saturday shooting 388 but rebounded nicely with a 370 Sunday. #2 Grand Canyon proved that they were a legitimate team who was worth the first-place votes shooting an outstanding 740 for the two-day total. GAA – Chandler also played well both days finishing in third.
The Ozark Region saw some very solid play from all three teams, but at the end of the weekend, it was #23 Arkansas who was able to come out on top, edging out #15 Oklahoma by 2 shots. Oklahoma was led by Payte Owen who managed to shoot a 68-74 (-2) on the weekend to take home individual medalist honors.
The Mountain Region had Colorado State prove that they were worth the bid to Nationals with their second straight win this semester. Hunter Snauwaert lead the way shooting a 68 for Colorado State on Saturday.
The Pacific Region saw the second tournament go the way #24 Cal Poly – San Louis Obispo expected, with a win over Cal Berkley by 40 strokes. NCCGA President Brandon Bone fired a 79-72 in the winning effort for his team.
#25 Depaul comes in out of nowhere to win their region by 8 shots over Northern Illinois in the 30-degree temperatures. Former NCCGA Tournament Ops Director Adam Gracik fires a 74-73 (+3) en route to his team's victory. Bradley president Judson Bro fires an even par 73-71 to be the low man.
The South Region had #8 Alabama run away from #7 Georgia by 35 strokes for the weekend. Georgia was plagued by a rough Saturday but should be back in form for the national Championship.
Mizzou wins their regional in a shortened 1-day event with a score of 378. Tyler Kelly posts a 71 (-1) and Former NCCGA Individual Champ Dillon Eaton posts an even par 72.
The North Carolina Region saw UNC – Chapel Hill take home the win. UCLA wins the Southwest, Keiser wins in South Florida, Providence wins in New England, Fairfield wins the Metro, Massachusetts wins the Northern New England, Central Washington wins the Northwest, and Ohio State wins the Ohio Valley.
This week's poll uses a weighted average of the ballots to factor in the ones that were lagged, while weighting the more recently submitted ones heaviest.
Presidents Poll Top 25 - Week 6
1 Arizona State (18)
2 Grand Canyon (3)
3 Texas (1)
4 Florida (3)
5 Florida State
6 Baylor (1)
7 Alabama
8 Georgia
9 Golf Academy of America – Dallas (1)
10 Virginia
11 Minnesota – Twin Cities
12 Villanova
13 Mizzou
14 Michigan
15 Oklahoma
16 Souther Methodist
17 Oregon
18 Texas Christian
19 South Carolina
20 Wisconsin – Madison
21 Virginia Tech
22 Indiana
23 Arkansas
24 Cal Poly – San Louis Obispo
25 DePaul
Others receiving votes:
Texas A&M (314) Clemson (325) GAA - Chandler (240) California (234) Colorado State (203) Liberty (201) Arizona (181) Auburn (170) GAA – MB (167) Maryland (146) Delaware (128) Providence (125) Creighton (101) Texas Tech (77) Pittsburgh (72) Other Schools with less than 70 votes: 21
Voter Insight:
Taylor Johnson (Golf Academy of America - Dallas)
Q: Why does GAA - Dallas deserve 1st pace votes?
A: Our players have been playing very well over that past few weeks and there have been a lot of impressive qualifying scores. There seems to have been an added incentive since this is the last semester for a majority of the team. The goal is to get back to Nationals and we’re ready for the challenge ahead.
Joe Oakman (Colorado State)
Q: Colorado St is a new club with promise, but why should votes give them a top 25 vote?
A: At the beginning of fall 2017 the club had 3 returning members, but now we have 18. These members include real good players who have played at smaller colleges, high school state tournaments and now are at CSU. I see these guys day in day out grinding and they are the real deal and love the game of golf. Every guy on our team is capable of going out and shooting a good number. People may not know us or respect us, but I know our guys and they can flat out play. Just this semester we have six new guys, all who have proven themselves through one tournament and many days on the course.
Travis Ola (Texas)
Q: What makes Texas a top 3 team?
A: Texas is a top 3 team because of our success in a competitive Texas region. Although we are 4th in differential, our nation-leading sauce level propels us well into the Top 3.
Adam Gracik (DePaul)
Q: Is DePaul a legit contender batter this weekends performance?
A: Realistically, there are probably 5-10 teams that we'd have a tough time beating. But if we are able to bring our best eight to nationals, who knows what could happen. 80% of our team lives in the heart of Chicago and maybe has a chance to swing a club once or twice a week. Just hoping we get decent enough weather this weekend to make it through.
Brandon Bone (Cal Poly – San Luis Obispo)
Q: Why should Cal Poly be a top 25 team?
A: Since building membership 6 times it's size since 3 years ago and gaining experienced players in the process we not only proved our capabilities to clinch the Pacific region two seasons in a row, but we placed 12th in nationals at Las Vegas. I see us as the underdogs that are only getting better every season before we become a powerhouse like some of the other teams that dominate the NCCGA.
Regional Stats:
Texas Region: 5 Teams [#3 Texas, #6 Baylor, #9 GAA – Dallas, # 16 SMU, #18 TCU]
South Region: 2 Teams [#7 Georgia, #8 Alabama]
Colonial Region: 2 Teams [#10 Virginia, #21 Virginia Tech]
Desert Region: 2 Teams [#1 ASU, #2 GCU]
North Florida: 2 Teams [#4 Florida, #5 Florida State]
Ozark Region: 2 Teams [#15 Oklahoma, #23 Arkansas]
Participants:
Baylor, ASU, Nebraska, Texas Tech, Niagra, Abilene Christian, Michigan, GAA – Dallas, Creighton, UW – Stout, Virginia Tech, Alabama, Liberty, Maryland, GCU, Indiana, Florida, Navy, Michigan State, Georgia, Cal Ploy SLO, Minnesota, Texas, DePaul, Colorado State, Cleveland State
Individual Ballots can be seen here:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1z9f9oLklaY5MaICKjRiPWrKddgop90o27Pqz4T6dr10/edit?usp=sharing
Any suggestions or questions can be sent to teddy_rettinger@baylor.edu or DM @canesfan369 on twitter.
