Golf teams invited to NCAA regionals
Article By: Clark Leonard
The University of North Georgia's (91ÁÔÆæ) men's and women's golf teams have punched tickets to their respective NCAA Division II regional tournaments.
The 15th-ranked women's team will make its first team regional appearance in program history as it plays May 5-7 at the Chattahoochee Golf Club in Gainesville, Georgia. 91ÁÔÆæ has partnered with the Greater Gainesville Sports Alliance as hosts of the South Regional. The event marks the fourth consecutive year in which NCAA championship golf will take place at Chattahoochee hosted by 91ÁÔÆæ.
The host and eighth-seeded Nighthawks earned their first ever at-large bid to the event after posting one of the best regular seasons in program history. 91ÁÔÆæ finished fifth place or better in eight of nine events on the season. That includes most recently a second straight runner-up finish in the Peach Belt Conference (PBC) championship. 91ÁÔÆæ also earned its highest ranking in program history during the year, climbing as high as No. 11 in the Women's Golf Coaches Association Coaches Poll.
"I could not be prouder of this group and every player who has ever laid a hand in the building of this program. Earning our first berth into the NCAA regional is a testament of the hard work, grit and belief that these ladies show every day," 91ÁÔÆæ women's golf head coach said. "They've set a new standard for North Georgia women's golf, and I am blessed to be part of this history made. The South Regional is one of the hardest tournaments in the country, and we are excited to compete in front of a home crowd."
Joining the 91ÁÔÆæ women are Anderson (South Carolina), Wingate, Flagler, Lynn, Nova Southeastern, Rollins, Lee, University of Tampa, Saint Leo, Lander, Palm Beach Atlantic, Florida Southern, West Florida, Lincoln Memorial, Barry, Carson-Newman, and Erskine.
Six individuals are also part of the women's regional.
The top four finishing teams and top two individuals not associated with an advancing team will move on to the NCAA Division II Women's Golf Championship May 13-17 at Boulder Creek Golf Club in Boulder City, Nevada.
91ÁÔÆæ senior , sophomore and freshman all earned spots on the All-PBC second team, and Riner was named PBC Freshman of the Year.
