Augusta University men’s golf qualifies for nationals for first time since 2018
By Rodrigo Burgos-Avila | Editor in chief
The Augusta University men's golf team finished fifth on Wednesday, May 14, at the NCAA Tallahassee Regional, and that propelled the Jaguars to the nationals for the first time since 2018.
Competing at the Seminole Legacy Golf Course in Tallahassee, the Jaguars were led by Bo Blanchard II, Stefan Jacobs and Pieter Rossouw Jr. The Jaguar trio finished in the top 11 of a strong 14-team field that found host Florida State taking the regional crown.
“I’m just happy for the guys because they put in a lot of hard work,” said AU Steven Paine, “and to see it all come together at the right time is great.”
Blanchard, the transfer from Columbus State who won the Southland Conference title last month, led the charge, finishing eighth in the individual field with scores of 68-71-72 on the par-72 course. He set the tone for Augusta's fifth-place finish with his 68 during the first round and closed the tournament at 5 under par.
Jacobs, the junior from Johannesburg, South Africa, responded with a much stronger third-round 68. He made six birdies to climb up the leader board into a tie for ninth at 4 under.
Rossouw, a freshman from Paarl, South Africa, contributed a 69 on six birdies in the first round. He then went 73 and 71 to finish in 11th at 3 under par.
Luke Clanton of FSU was the medalist at 15 under par.
AU’s Dan Wilken was consistent throughout all three rounds with scores of 75, 75 and 75. Wilken, the junior from Pretoria, South Africa, finished in 53rd place. Ben Heyns finished 73rd for AU.
The host Seminoles won the regional championship at 29 under par as a team.
Clanton, the No. 5 ranked golfer in the country, shot 66, 66 and 69.
Third-ranked Ole Miss finished second at 20 under par, with Michael La Sasso taking second place at 11 under.
New Mexico took third at 14 under, led by Wyatt Provence and Carson Herron. Georgia, ranked 22nd, was fourth at 7 under, led by Buck Brumlow, who tied for second place at 11 under.
Notre Dame's Jacob Modleski earned the final individual qualifying spot when he closed in 9 under par.
Coach Paine’s AU team now turns its attention to the NCAA Division I Championship, being held May 23–28 at the Omni La Costa Resort and Spa in Carlsbad, Calif.
Augusta won the team national title in 2010 and 2011. Broc Everett won the individual title in 2018.
Contact Rodrigo Burgos-Avila at rburgosavila@augusta.edu.
Pieter Rossouw Jr. blasts out of the rough for Augusta University during the NCAA Division I Tallahassee Regional. At the top of the page, Stefan Jacobs rolls a putt en route to a final-round 71, good for ninth place in medal play. AU will now play in the national championship tournament in Carlsbad, Calif. (photos by Mason Grounds)
