For the first time since 2014, Rice Men’s Golf is NCAA Regional Bound. On Wednesday, the Owls were named an at-large selection for the Athens Regional.
Rice Men’s Golf is headed to the NCAA Men’s Golf Championship, earning an at-large selection to the Athens Regional where they’ll compete with 13 programs for a spot in the finals, awarded to the top five teams after the conclusion of the 54-hole regional tournament.
The logistics will sort themselves out, for now head coach Justin Emil can soak up the moment. “This has been our goal all year,” Emil said. “From Day One, heading to Nationals is what we set out to do. This is just the next step for us.”
That next step represents the Owls’ first NCAA trip since 2014 and their first appearance as an at-large selection since 2010. Rice isn’t planning on just appreciating the invitation, though. Emil and his club believe they have a real shot at advancing.
“I’ve always felt like this program has enormous potential. Really over the last over the last three years we’ve been building to this point,” he said. “I’m just really excited for the opportunity. I know this team can make it all the way.”
To get there, Rice will have to outdo at least eight of the following 13 programs, seeded accordingly:
- Auburn
- Illinois
- Vanderbilt
- BYU
- Georgia
- Louisville
- Kansas
- Northwestern
- College of Charleston
- Rice
- Southern Mississippi
- Harvard
- Howard
“There’s a lot of good teams in there,” senior Lukas Boandl said. “We’ve beaten a couple of them in prior tournaments. We’ll try our best to see what we can do.”
The Regional is scheduled to be played from May 18 to May 20.