Utah Returns to National Postseason at the NCAA Austin Regional

2024 NCAA Austin Regional
Date: May 13 – 15
Location: The University of Texas Golf Club | Austin, Texas
Par/Yardage: Par 71, 7,399 yards
Live Scoring: Golfstat.com
 
THIS WEEK
For the third time in four seasons, the University of Utah men’s golf team has earned a spot in the NCAA postseason and this time, coach Garrett Clegg‘s crew is traveling to Austin, Texas, where the NCAA Austin Regional will take place at The University of Texas Golf Club on May 13 – 15.
 
The Utes made their first trip to regionals under Clegg in 2021, when they recorded their highest finish ever to that point, taking seventh in Cle Elum, Washington. Utah’s team performance was highlighted by the play of Tristan Mandur, who tied for fourth by shooting 6-under. His play earned him an individual spot at the NCAA Championships.
 
One season later, the Utes were back at regionals, this time in Oklahoma, where they bested the mark they posted in 2021 to earn the chance to move on to Nationals. They were led by Blake Tomlinson’s 5-under 211, which earned him a tie for 9th, and right behind him was Javier Barcos, who posted a mark of 3-under, good enough for 11th. Mandur and Braxton Watts also contributed to the team’s score of 4-under, with Watts carding his lowest score on the tournament’s final day. The team’s fifth-place finish sent them to the NCAA Championships for the first time since 1988.
 
UTAH LINE-UP
The Utes will field a lineup consisting of Braxton Watts, Javier Barcos, Sergio Jimenez, Brandon Robison and Gabriel Palacios, with Davis Johnson serving as the team’s alternate.
 
COACHES THOUGHTS: Head Coach Garrett Clegg
“It is always great to compete at the NCAA Regional Championships,” said Clegg. “In order to make it to the finals, we are going to need to have a really solid week. This will be the first time for three of our players, but I know we are a confident group and looking forward to the challenge that comes with this course and tournament!”
 
THE FIELD
The teams joining Utah in Austin will be top-seeded Tennessee, as well as Arkansas, Texas, Georgia, Wake Forest, Notre Dame, BYU, San Jose State, Grand Canyon University, Arkansas State and Kansas City.
 
TOURNAMENT DETAILS
Six 54-hole regional tournaments will be conducted to determine the 30 qualifying teams and six individuals (not on those qualifying teams) who…