CBU Qualifies for D-II Championships

Monday, May 2

Las Cruces, N.M.

8:00 AM

California Baptist University

NCAA Division II Regional

CBU Qualifies for D-II Championships

5/4/2016 4:56:00 PM | Men's Golf

By: Andrew Shortall, Asst. Sports Information Director

RESULTS

LAS CRUCES, N.M. – It was going to take something special for California Baptist University to advance out of the NCAA Division II West/South Central Regional and into its first-ever Division II Championships.

Special might be a bit of an understatement, though, after the Lancers rallied and jumped from ninth to fourth in the final round to punch their ticket to nationals with a top-five finish on Wednesday at the University Golf Course. CBU shot a two-under-par 282 on the day, which is the fourth-lowest round in program history, for an 869 over three rounds (297-290-282).

"The guys were really clutch today," Coach John Hackney said. "I had a good feeling after how we played here in the fall that we could get it done on this course. Our attitude and approach was just spot-on today. We came out focused and ready to play and hit some brilliant shots in gusty winds to post one of the day's lowest scores."

The Lancers head to Denver, Colo., for the Division II Championships, which will be held May 17-21.

"Our guys are really playing well at the right time of year, so good things are happening," Hackney said. "We are really proud of the work they have put in thus far and are excited to see what they will do as they represent CBU at the national championships."

All four of CBU's scorers shot two-over par or better on Wednesday, with Greg Gonzalez leading the charge for CBU, with a four-under-par 67 to tie for the fifth-best 18-hole performance in program history. His sparkling round included birdies at No. 8, 11, 12 and 15 and pars on the other 14 holes.

"Greg and I talked about how big-time players should love big-time moments, and that he was big-time," Hackney said. "He showed that today. He was outstanding, notching four birdies in a bogey-free round on a very tough course with a display of ball-striking that was as good as it has been this season. He hit eight fairways and 14 greens and needed only 29 putts."

Kavan Eubank was just as impressive, as he shot two-under 69 on Wednesday. He overcame three bogeys with birdies at No. 3, 14, 15 and an eagle on the par-five eighth hole – his second eagle in as many days. He took third place overall after he turned in three rounds of par or better for a three-under total of 210 (71-70-69).

"Kavan was stellar down the stretch, making a 15-footer for eagle on his 17th hole and then getting up-and-down for par from the greenside bunker on his 18th hole, setting off a nice celebration from the rest of his team," Hackney said. "I told him that this is what you play for: to excel in big moments."

Gonzalez rallied for a top-15 finish on the final day, vaulting 18 spots up the board to take 13^th exactly with an even-par 213 (74-72-67).

Tai Kuida and Christian Sanders both saved their best for last at the Regional and each scored for CBU with two-over 73s. They did them in different ways, with Kuida battling with three birdies and Sanders needing just one after being around par all day.

"I was very proud of Christian," Hackney said. "He really struggled on and around the greens the first two days but rose to the occasion today. He only had one birdie, but he saved par from off the green on 4-of-6 occasions and needed just 31 putts. He again struck the ball well, hitting 12 fairways and 11 greens.

"Tai got off to a rough start, playing his first three holes at 3-over, but he sank three birdies the remainder of the day to come in at 2-over, which was huge. We finally had four good scores today, including a couple that were under par, and that was all it took."

Christopher Carew took 48^th in the 108-player field with a 223 (74-71-78). Kuida and Sanders wound up with 229 and 231 totals, respectively, at the end of the tournament.

"Chris didn't have his best day on Wednesday, getting a few bad breaks," Hackney said, "but his first two rounds were critical in putting us in position to make the final-day push."