North Carolina State University Athletics
Men's Golf Awaits Call From NCAA
5/1/2002 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
May 1, 2002
By Tony Haynes
Raleigh, N.C.--The NC State men's golf team, ranked 8th nationally, will learn of its NCAA regional destination when tournament bids go out on Monday, may 6. The Wolfpack is coming off of a strong spring campaign, which included a 'near miss' at the ACC Championships. Trailing Georgia Tech by 12 strokes through two rounds, the Wolfpack unleashed a 14-under par total of 274 in the final round at the Old North State Club to finish within four shots of the top-ranked Jackets.
The second place finish was impressive given the overall strength of the conference this season. In one national poll this week, Georgia Tech, Wake Forest and Clemson were ranked 1-2-3.
Balance has been a big key for NC State this season. In the ACC Championships, four players-Garth Mulroy, Rodney Thomas, Justin Walters and Fernando Mechereffe-posted under par totals for the tournament. Mulroy fired a final round 67 to finish minus eight for the championship.
If, as expected, NC State is extended a bid to the regionals on Monday, it will mark the 14th consecutive year coach Richard Sykes' Wolfpack has participated in the regional format, which was introduced in 1989. The Pack's lone regional title came in 1996 when three time All-American Tim Clark captured individual honors.
On this year's squad, Mulroy and Walters are strong candidates for All-America and other postseason honors.
