Wood Earns NCAA Invitation
First 49ers Since 2001 To Earn NCAA At-Large Berth
May 8, 2006 LONG BEACH, CA-- Junior Ryan Wood (Oceanside, CA) learned on Monday that he has been selected to compete at the 2006 NCAA Men's Golf West Regionals as an individual. The West Regionals will take place May 18-20 at the Tucson National Golf Course in Tucson, AZ. The 49ers, as a team, did not receive an at-large bid to the championships. League tournament winner Cal Poly and at-large selection UC Irvine will be competing in the West Regional. Wood is the second 49er to advance to the NCAA Regionals as an individual; John Mallinger, currently playing on the Nationwide and Canadian professional tours, was selected in 2001.
"Ryan had a very solid year, and was deservedly chosen as one of the three individuals from our Region," said Head Coach Bob Livingstone. "Tucson National should be a good course for him. The team is certainly disappointed that the NCAA Committee chose the University of San Diego over us for the last spot from our Region; we only lost to them by two shots for the year, so it is tough to take. Our team can hold its head high, however, because they had a good year, and I'm sure this will motivate them for next year."
Wood concluded the 2005-06 campaign with an average score of 72.53 in 19 rounds of play. A first team All-Big West Conference selection, Wood had five top 20, and three top 10, finishes in seven tournaments. He finished fifth at the Callaway Invitational with a 220 (75-70-75), seventh at the Northwest Collegiate Classic with a 212 (70-68-74) and he tied for tenth place at the Del Walker Intercollegiate at Virginia Country Club with a 213 (69-72-72). He was selected as the Big West Male Golf Athlete of the Month for November.
There are 27 teams at each of the three regional sites and the top 10 teams and top two individuals not on an advancing team will move on to the NCAA Championships May 3-June 3 at the Crosswater at Sunriver Golf Course in Sunriver, OR.
The NCAA West Regional Championship will be contested over 54 holes from May 18-20, at the Omni Tucson National Resort, with the University of Arizona serving as the host. Live scoring will be available at www.golfstat.com. |
