Wildcat Men's Golf Finishes Seventh at Big 12 Championship
Apr 30, 2002 | Men's Golf
April 30, 2002
HUTCHINSON, Kan. - The Kansas State men's golf team finished the 2002 Big 12 Men's Golf Championship with a seventh-place finish at the par-70, 6,598-yard Prairie Dunes Country Club. The Wildcats posted a three-round total of 885 (303-292-290), its best-ever team total at the Big 12 tournament.
"It wasn't an easy day, but then again there is never an easy day at Prairie Dunes," head coach Tim Norris said. "Overall we played well which gave us the chance to edge up a spot, and I'm proud of the guys."
Sophomore Aaron Watkins led the way for K-State throughout the tournament. The Mesa, Ariz., native carded a 2-over-par 212 (72-70-70) to tie for sixth, the best finish by a Wildcat in the history of the Big 12 tournament. Finishing behind Watkins were senior Bryan Milberger and sophomore A.J. Elgert, who tied for 23rd with scores of 220. Senior Matt Williams finished 51st with a 232 (78-78-76), and sophomore Bryan Schweizer carded a 234 (79-80-75) to tie for 53rd.
No. 5 Texas rallied to claim its first-ever Big 12 Championship with a final score of 850 (285-282-283). The Longhorns overcame a 10-stroke deficit after the first two rounds to claim the championship over second-place Oklahoma State and third-place Oklahoma. OSU shot a Big 12 Tournament third-round record score of 277 to finish one stroke behind Texas at 11-over-par 851 (283-274-296).
OSU's Anders Hultman won a one-hole playoff over OU's John Kidwell to claim medalist honors. Both completed regulation play with a 7-under-par 203.
The results of the Big 12 Championship will play a role in deciding whether the Wildcats will advance to the 2002 NCAA Regionals. Norris said the team is in better shape than it was last year, after defeating several ranked teams throuhout the season. But, the results of the tournament will still be a large factor.
"This is the second year in a row where we have come into this tournament with everything to lose," Norris said. "We've had a good couple of days, but it's still hard to tell what is going to happen."
Bids for the NCAA Regionals are expected to be announced in the next few days. For complete results of the Big 12 Men's Golf Championship, visit the Big 12 Conference's web site www.big12sports.com
Team Scores:
1. Texas 285-282-283=850
2. Oklahoma State 287-287-277=851
3. Oklahoma 283-274-296=853
4. Baylor 297-286-285=868
5. Missouri 293-292-287=872
6. Texas Tech 297-294-286=877
7. Kansas State 303-292-290=885
8. Colorado 296-294-296=886
9. Texas A&M 300-300-289=889
10. Kansas 301-300-294=895
11. Iowa State 295-297-304=896
12. Nebraska 312- 295-302=909
Top 10 Individuals:
** 1. Anders Hultman (Okla. St.) 70-68-65=203
2. John Kidwell (Oklahoma) 64-69-70=203
3. Jason Hartwick (Texas) 72-65-71=208
t4. Hunter Mahan (Okla. St.) 69-74-67=210
t4. Cody Freeman (Oklahoma) 69-66-75=210
t6. Aaron Watkins (Kansas St.) 72-70-70=212
t6. Kyle Willmann (Texas Tech) 71-71-70=212
t8. Jamie McLeary (Baylor) 75-73-65=213
t8. Brandon Knaub (Missouri) 70-71-72=213
t10. John Klauk (Texas) 72-75-67=214
t10. Russell Surber (Texas) 71-71-72=214
(**Won in 1-hole play-off)
Wildcat Individuals:
t6. Aaron Watkins 72-70-70=212
t23. A.J. Elgert 78-71-72=221
t23. Bryan Milberger 75-73-73=221
51. Matt Williams 78-78-76=232
t53. Bryan Schweizer 79-80-75=234
