Husky Men's Golfers Head to NCAA Championships
May 27, 2002
The NCAA Championships
The 2002 NCAA Division I Men's Golf Championships will be contested at Ohio State's par 71, 7,236-yard Scarlet Course May 29-June 2. Practice rounds are scheduled for May 27 and 28. The Huskies' first-round begins Wednesday at 12:18 p.m. UW is paired with Clemson and Purdue for the opening two rounds of play. Those same three teams will tee off at 7:18 a.m. on Thursday. Friday and Saturday pairings are based on tournament standing.
Fourth Straight for Huskies
The 13th-ranked Washington men's golf team is making its fourth straight appearance at the NCAA Championships. The Huskies placed 4th in 1999, 30th in 2000 and 26th in 2001. Washington also has played at the NCAA Championships in 1966, 1988, 1989 and 1997.
The NCAA Field
The 30 teams that make up the field for this year's NCAA team championship include: Alabama-Birmingham, Arizona, Auburn, Augusta State, Baylor, Clemson, Colorado, Florida, Fresno State, Georgia, Georgia Southern, Georgia Tech
Illinois, Oklahoma State, Pacific, Pepperdine, Purdue, Minnesota, New Mexico, North Carolina North Carolina State, TCU, Texas, Texas Tech, Toledo, Tulsa, UNLV, Virginia Commonwealth, Virginia Tech and Washington.
UW's Probable Lineup
1. Brock Mackenzie, So., 71.09
2. John Robertson, Jr., 72.43
3. Conner Robbins, Jr., 73.20
4. Dan Potter, So., 74.28
5. Corey Prugh, So., 73.23
Mackenzie Represents USA
Washington sophomore Brock Mackenzie is one of eight collegiate players selected to represent the United States in this year's U.S. vs. Japan Collegiate Golf Championship. Mackenzie was choosen by the Golf Coaches Association of America. The event is scheduled for July 17-19 at The Glen Club in Glenview, Ill. Also representing the U.S. is Husky women's golfer Kelli Kamimura.
Huskies Having Landmark Season
While the 1999 Washington golf team finished fourth at the NCAA Championships, this year's version of Husky golf is arguably having the best season in school history. The Huskies are ranked 13th in the latest Golfweek Rankings and have been as high as 11th this season. The Huskies have won five tournaments this season and taken home medalist honors five times in 13 events. Washington's tie for first with New Mexico at the NCAA West Regional marked the first time the Huskies have won a regional title.
Mackenzie Draws Hogan Attention
Washinton sophomore Brock Mackenzie was one of 20 collegiate golfers named a semifinalist for the 2002 Ben Hogan Award. The Hogan Award honors the top college player over a one-year period from May 1, 2001 to May 1, 2002.
Mackenzie Named All-Pac-10
Washington sophomore Brock Mackenzie (Yakima) was named to the All-Pac-10 Conference team this season. Mackenzie, who led the Huskies with a seventh-place finish at the conference championships, becomes just the third UW golfer to earn first-team all-conference honors. O.D. Vincent was a first-team pick in 1988 and Troy Kelly received the honor in 1999. Mackenzie was a second-team all-Pac-10 pick as a freshman. Husky junior John Robertson (Olympia) was a second-team All-Pac-10 pick. Husky junior Conner Robbins (Bremerton) received honorable mention honors on the team that is voted on by the Pac-10 coaches.
Regional Story
Washington tied New Mexico for first place at the 2002 NCAA West Regional at the Lobos' Championship Course. It marked the first regional title by the Huskies. Washington's previous top finish at a regional was a seventh-place showing in Tucson in 1999. Husky sophomore Brock Mackenzie led UW with a fourth-place finish at 1-under 215. Mackenzie carded a 67 during the final round of play
Huskies in the Rankings
Two Husky golfers are ranked among the top-100 players in the nation in the latest Golfweek/Sagarin Performance Index. Heading that group is sophomore Brock Mackenze in 21st place with a rating of 70.78. John Robertson is ranked 97th at 72.10.
Rewriting the Records
The Huskies are on the verge of setting several team and individual records this season:
* Washington set a 54-hole tournament scoring record with an 834 at the Western Intercollegiate.
* The Huskies set a single-round scoring mark at the Western Intercollegiate with a 270 during the second round.
* Conner Robbins established a UW record for 54-hole score with his 202 at the Western Intercollegiate.
*John Robertson shot a 64 during the third round of The Prestige to establish a UW single-round record.
* Robertson tied the UW first-round record with his opening 67 at the Husky Invitational.
* Brock Mackenzie tied the Husky record for second-round score with a 65 at The Prestige.
* Mackenzie recorded 11 top-10 finishes this season, bettering the previous record of eight set by O.D. Vincent in 1991.
* Mackenzie now has 14 top-10 finishes in his career, the second most by a Husky. Rob Rashell owns the record with 18.
* Mackenzie needs to play two more rounds this season to top the single-season record of 44 Troy Kelly established in 2000.
* Mackenzie has moved into second place on UW's all-time wins list with two. Teammate Gordy Scutt has also picked up two tournament victories.
* Scutt became the first UW golfer to win back-to-back tournaments, finishing first at the Vandal Classic and then winning the Husky Invitational.
* Scutt moved into sixth place on UW's all-time Rounds Played list with 126.
UW To Host 2003 Regional
Washington will play host to the 2003 NCAA West Regional at Washington National Golf Club in Auburn, Wash. The dates for the event are May 15-17. This year the facility served as the site for the 2002 NCAA Division I Women's Golf Championship (May 21-24). The 2003 West Regional will mark the first time the Husky men have hosted a tournament at Washington National.
Record Results
As the Huskies enter NCAA West Regional play five members of this year's team have posted season stroke averages that could land them on UW's all-time list. Currently, Troy Kelly set the UW single-season stroke average in 1999 at 72.4. Both Brock Mackenzie (71.1) and John Robertson (72.4) are averaging better than Kelly's mark. Conner Robbins and Corey Prugh have averages of 73.2, placing them fifth on the single-season list. Husky senior Gordy Scutt's average of 73.8 ranks 14th overall.
Top NCAA Team Finishes
Year Place Team Scoring 1999 4th 307-301-291-290-1189 1966 11th Not Available 1988 15th 1211 1989 23rd 295-301-596 2001 26th 301-297-598 2000 30th 613 1997 30th 311-306-617
Top NCAA Individual Finishes
Year Name Place Scoring 1999 Troy Kelley 2nd 75-71-70-71-287 1989 Todd Tibke 17th 71-73-73-72-289 1988 O.D. Vincent 19th 69-69-78-78-294 1999 Gordy Scutt 23rd 79-77-72-72-300 1999 Rob Rashell 44th 79-76-75-73-303 1988 Ted Himka 52nd 76-74-76-74-300 1999 Scott Kral 64th 82-77-75-74-308 1999 Robb Bergeson 68th 74-80-74-83-311 1988 Mike Swingle 71st 74-78-77-77-306 2000 Gordy Scutt 86th 73-75-148 1997 Scott Kral 86th 77-73-150
