The University of Mississippi Athletics
Men's Golfers Earn Second Straight NCAA Tournament Berth
5/10/2000 | Men's Golf
May 10, 2000
OXFORD, Miss. - The Ole Miss men's golf team earned its second straight NCAA Tournament berth Tuesday, as announced by the selection committee. The Rebels received an at-large bid to the Central Regional, to be held May 18-20, at the Victoria Country Club in Victoria, Texas and hosted by Southwest Texas State.
It will be the fourth NCAA Tournament appearance for Ole Miss, who finished ninth at last year's East Regional and advanced to the championships where the team tied for 24th. The Rebels' best finish came in 1985 when they placed fourth.
"We played well all year long, and I thought we were deserving of the bid," said Ole Miss head coach Woody Cowart. "To go to NCAAs two years in a row shows this program is heading in the right direction.
"I'm also really pleased that our seniors have an opportunity to extend their playing career, at least one more tournament. And we feel we have a chance to return to the championships."
A minimum of eight teams from each of the three regionals will advance to the championship finals, to be held May 31-June 3 at the Grand National Golf Complex in Opelika, Ala. The two lowest scoring individuals at each regional, whose teams do not advance, will also compete in the championships.
Also Tuesday, Ole Miss finished play at the Atlanta Intercollegiate, placing fifth. The Rebels shot rounds of 305-286-303-894 at the Eagles Landing Country Club to earn their sixth top five finish of the year.
Senior Jon Bartlett, who was named All-SEC first team on Monday, just missed his first career tournament title, finishing one stroke out of first place. Bartlett fired a 71-68-74-213 to place third and merit his fourth top five finish of the year.
UAB's Graeme McDowell took medalist honors after defeating Auburn's Roland Thatcher in a one-hole playoff. However, Thatcher's Tigers won the team title, posting a 295-287-289-871.
Also for Ole Miss, Chris Malloy, a senior from Duluth, Ga., notched his second top 20 finish of the year, tying for 14th with a 75-72-77-224. Phil Caravia and Brendan Fisher each carded a three-round 231 to tie for 39th, while Andrew Medley totaled a 233.
ATLANTA INTERCOLLEGIATE - Eagles Landing C.C., Atlanta, Ga.
FINAL TEAM STANDINGS
| 1. Auburn | 295-287-289--871 +7 |
| 2. Florida | 303-286-291--880 +16 |
| 3. UAB | 292-299-295--886 +22 |
| 4. Georgia State | 292-300-296--888 +24 |
| 5. OLE MISS | 305-286-303--894 +30 |
| 6. North Florida | 312-301-296--909 +45 |
| 7. Alabama | 301-308-304--913 +49 |
| 8. Co. of Charleston | 308-301-307--916 +52 |
| 9. Augusta State | 320-301-297--918 +54 |
| 10. Florida State | 312-303-303--918 +54 |
| 11. Central Florida | 310-317-301--928 +64 |
OLE MISS INDIVIDUAL RESULTS
| 3. Jon Bartlett | 71-68-74-213 |
| T14. Chris Malloy | 75-72-77-224 |
| T39. Phil Caravia | 78-74-79-231 |
| T39. Brendan Fisher | 81-72-78-231 |
| T43. Andrew Medley | 83-76-75-233 |