University of Louisville
NCAA Regional
Men's Golf Charge Falls Short at Auburn Regional
May 17, 2014 | Men's Golf
May 17, 2014
AUBURN, Ala. - The University of Louisville men's golf team chances of advancing to the NCAA Championships looked very bleak as they teed off on Saturday morning at the Auburn Regional.
Sitting nine shots back of fifth place, UofL head coach Mark Crabtree knew he would need his young team to step up if they were to get to the championships.
That's exactly what his team did on Saturday, as they sat on the 17th tee (eighth hole) sitting in a tie with Texas at 20+over par for fifth place, the spot needed to reach to advance. Louisville was 5-under par and were in position.
However, the Cardinals double-bogeyed the 17th hole, and two other players bogeyed the 18th, and when it ended, the Cardinals finished in a tie for ninth place. Louisville shot 297-305-286=888 to finish four shots out of fifth place at the NCAA Auburn Regional played at the par 72, 7,254-yard at the Auburn University Club in Auburn, Ala.
Louisville posted the third-best round on Saturday, shooting a 2-under par. Louisville's hopes were diminished when they shot 17-over par on Friday.
"They put themselves in position today," Crabtree said. "They made a great charge and we were right on the line to advance going on our last two holes. I'm proud of the way they came back and gave ourselves a chance. It's a good motivating tool heading into next season."
Alabama cruised to the title and was never really challenged. Kennesaw State, Auburn, Virginia Tech and Texas were the other four teams who advanced to the NCAA Championships.
Sophomore Robin Sciot-Siegrist was the bright spot for the weekend, finishing at 1-under par for the weekend and was tied for seventh overall.
The product of Rueil-Malmaison, France, Sciot-Siegrist was the top individual finisher for the Cardinals. He ended the tournament at 69-76-70=215. He tallied four birdies in the first round to shoot a 3-under par 69 and had four birdies and an eagle on Saturday.
Freshman Robert Geibel led the Cardinals on Saturday, firing a 3-under par 69 to end the regional in a tie for 13th-place overall. He played the front nine at 1-under par and helped the Cardinals rally by firing 2-under on the front. For the regional, Geibel shot 75-73-69=217, which was just 1-over par.
Antoine Le Saux was just 1-over par on Saturday to end the regional at 76-77-73=226 to finish in a tie for 39th. J.D. Lehman, who entered the day at 12-over par, shot a 2-over par 74 on Saturday to finish with the tournament with 77-79-74=230. He was tied for 57th.
Max Walz was 4-over par on Saturday, which was his best round, and closed the year by shooting 82-79-76=237.
The Cardinals will return the entire lineup next season, which is something that Crabtree is certainly excited about.
"It gives me great optimism that this group will work hard and get ready for next year," Crabtree said. "It leaves a little taste in your mouth when you are right there and have a chance to make it. We made some birdies coming down the stretch. When you get close like that, I hope it is an incentive to get better."
Players Mentioned
