Even though the Idaho men’s golf team entered the NCAA San Diego Regional as the No. 10 seed, Idaho coach John Means didn’t want to finish tied for 10th, which Idaho did May 16 at Rancho Santa Fe, California. The regional started May 14.
After the Vandals won the Big Sky Conference Championship April 29 in Angels Camp, California, Means said that Idaho still had more to accomplish this season.
“Getting to regionals is just part of the trip,” Means said. “It’s not the end. It’s just part of the trip.”
In order to have advanced to the NCAA Division I Men’s Golf Championships May 29-June 3 in Bradenton, Florida, Idaho would have had to finish in the top five at regionals. Instead, it tied for 10th with San Diego.
Big Sky Freshman of the Year Dan Sutton tied for 21st to lead the Vandals at regionals. He shot a three-round, 3-over-par 219. Big Sky Player of the Year and sophomore Jared du Toit tied for 25th carding a 5-over-par 221. Senior Aaron Cockerill, who is a first team all-conference selection, finished his Vandal career posting a 9-over-par 225 to tie for 49th. Sophomore Ryan Porch, who is an honorable mention this season in the Big Sky, tied for 59th shooting a 13-over-par 229 and junior Rylee Iacolucci, who earned a spot on the Big Sky’s second team, finished 74th posting a 21-over-par 237.
Oklahoma won the regional by 20 strokes over second-place Arizona State. The Sooners fired a 21-under-par 843 while the Sun Devils scored a 1-under-par 863. Georgia Tech finished third with a 5-over-par 869, Georgia took fourth with a 6-over-par 870 and Virginia took the last national qualifying spot of the regional — fifth — with a 10-over-par 874.
Garrett Cabeza can be reached at [email protected]