Wake Forest and UNC Greensboro both had reason to celebrate Wednesday at the Austin Regional at the University of Texas Golf Club.
Wake Forest won a playoff over Brigham Young for the final qualifying spot Wednesday at the Austin Regional at the University of Texas Golf Club. Wake advances to the 30-team championship on May 24-29 in Carlsbad, California. Texas won the 54-hole tournament by 16 strokes over Tennessee.
Kelvin Hernandez (photo courtesy of Brandon McKinney), a freshman at UNCG, shot 3-under-par 68 Wednesday to grab the regional’s sole individual qualifying spot for the championship. Hernandez finished at 7-under 207 in a tie for third place overall.
“I was feeling pretty good all week about my game, and I was playing pretty well all day,” Hernandez said. “I made a couple of birdies coming in which were crucial for me to make it to nationals. Those last couple of holes were nerve wracking but I kept myself composed and got it done. I’m super excited for next week and enjoy that experience at Carlsbad.”
“This is a really big moment for the UNCG golf program — to have someone compete at Nationals for the first time ever,” said UNCG coach Terrance Stewart, who team tied for seventh with Georgia, nine shots behind Wake and BYU.
Christiaan Maas of Texas was medalist at 204, and two other Longhorn teammates joined Hernandez in the top four. Michael Brennan of Wake, the 36-hole leader, shot 73 and tied for fifth at 209.
With even-par 284 Wednesday, Wake pulled into a tie with BYU at 2-over 854. Texas posted 27-under 825 for 54 holes. Tennessee, Notre Dame and Utah were the other qualifiers. BYU shot 292 in the final round.
Despite making two bogeys and no pars on the 54th hole, the Demon Deacons gained two shots on the Cougars, who made two bogeys and a double-bogey.
Marshall Meisel had the Deacons’ round of the day, shooting 69 to finish at 218. Tom Haberer shot 70, also his top score of the tournament. Collin Adams finished with 72, and Scotty Kennon posted 73.
Hernandez birdied Nos. 13, 14 and 17 before finishing with a bogey. Teammate Randall Hudson shot 72 to tie for 26th overall at 215. Noah Connor, a Reidsville native, shot 74 for 218.
“The entire team had a fantastic week, led by Kelvin,” said Stewart. “This team had a fantastic season and competed really well this week.”
