May 19, 2008

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - For the third straight year, the Charlotte 49ers golf team will be playing at the 30-team NCAA National Championships. The 49ers finished seventh at the NCAA East Regional at 8-under par. The top 10 teams from each of the three regionals advance to the NCAA Championships, May 28-31 at Purdue.

Senior Trevor Murphy (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) shot four-under par 67 in the final round of the NCAA East Regional at Council Fire Golf Club to lead the 49ers to a three-day total of eight-under par.

"We started out like a locomotive," head coach Jamie Green said of the 49ers fast start to open the day. "We started out amazingly well -- which you have to do because there are birdies to be had on the first few holes. We got off to a terrific start, but everybody struggled a little, somewhere today. Everyone had a little bit of `needing to save the round' today and everyone did it."

"I wasn't (nervous)," Green added about coming into the final round in a tie for eighth-place. "They were in a situation that to get through today it was going to depend on how competitive you were. That's one thing I've never had to worry about with these guys. If faced with a competitive challenge, they are going to find a way to prevail."

Murphy shot a five-under par 31 on the front nine to start the Niners run.

"I had perfect yardages with my wedges," Murphy said of his front nine. "I had comfortable yardages where I was really decisive with the clubs and the shots I wanted to hit. That's really important. And, I putted well. You can hit it great and not score if you don't putt well. I was happy with how I putted. I rolled it well."

Murphy's four-under par round helped Charlotte land a third-round score of three-under par. Sophomore Corey Nagy added a two-under par, 69. Senior Jonas Enander Hedin had a +1, 72 and Stefan Wiedergruen shot +2, 73. Senior Andrew DiBitetto, who led the 49ers at six-under par through the first two rounds shot +3, 74 to finish at three-under par for the event.

"I thought we were sitting pretty well," Nagy said of heading into the final round. "I knew we had a couple guys who had their best golf in front of them, including myself. We do so well because we have different guys playing well on different days. Today was the same thing."

Nagy shot his best round of the tournament, as did Murphy.

DiBitetto finished the three-day event tied for 23rd at -3, 210. Murphy and Enander Hedin finished at even-par, 213. Nagy finished with a three-day total of +3, 216 while Wiedergruen was +6, 219. Each player had at least two of their rounds count towards the team score during the event.

Charlotte, which was making its fourth straight NCAA Regional appearance has now reached the NCAA Championships in three straight years. Charlotte finished a program-best third at last year's finals.

Of note, the 49ers placed seventh at the NCAA East Regional last year as well, before advancing and finishing third at the NCAA Championships.

"I'll tell the team, 'We are tied for first at the NCAA Championships", Green added. "That's the beauty of this tournament. The seeding doesn't mean anything. Now we have two weeks to prepare."

Charlotte seniors DiBitetto, Enander Hedin and Murphy will be making their third NCAA Championship appearance. Sophomore Corey Nagy will be making his second. Junior Stefan Wiedergruen has not participated in the NCAA Championships.