SIMPSONVILLE, Ky. – The Chico State men’s golf team fell short of its NCAA Championship dream Saturday, losing to Nova Southeastern 5-0 in the national title match. In reality, the disappointing end doesn’t diminish the fact that the Wildcats had perhaps the best season in the program’s history.
The Wildcats’ second-place finish matches their best NCAA Championship finish since 1966, when the Wildcats were a Division III team. Their victory in the stroke play portion of the NCAA Championships was their seventh of the season – a program best. And they won the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) title for the first time.
It was a fabulous final chapter for the team’s four seniors, who were also part of the team that finished
third in the 2010 NCAA Championships. The Wildcats have had an astounding run over those four seasons, collecting 14 wins and 40 top-five finishes in 47 tournaments.
Kyle Souza, the 2011 NCAA Champion, won eight career tournaments and broke the school record with 22 top-5 and 31 top-10 career finishes. Souza, named to the All-America team for the third straight time this week, is a four-time All-West Region and All-CCAA selection.
He’s one of three All-Americans graduating from the program. Eric Frazzetta finished fifth in stroke play to garner his second straight All-America honor and Kevin Rei earned All-America honors with his 15th-place finish. Frazzetta is a three-time All-Region and All-CCAA selection. Rei has won each of those awards as well. Bobby Bucey finished his two seasons with the ’Cats with a flourish, coming in 19th in stroke play..
“The seniors had one last chance this week and it was quite a moment for us,” said Wildcats Head Coach T.L. Brown. “It’s going to be sad to say goodbye. They gave it everything they had and I’m really proud of them.”
The Wildcats have experienced more great days this season than they could have hoped to. Unfortunately, Saturday was not one of those days. A combination of top-ranked Nova Southeastern’s stellar play and the Wildcats’ inability to sink putts led to their demise. They fell behind early and never fully recovered.
“It just wasn’t in the cards today,” said Brown. “I was proud of the way everyone battled back. We just didn’t play the last few holes like we planned. To win a National Championship you have to make putts on the final day. I don’t think we putted bad, but the birdie putts just didn’t fall.”
Souza carded a 1-under par 71 – his seventh straight sub-par round in six days at the Cardinal Club – but he was bested for the first time in match play by the Sharks’ Oscar Lengden by two strokes.
“It feels good to know we made it this far,” said Souza. “I’m really proud I chose to play college golf at Chico State. I’m proud to be a Wildcat. I’ve learned so much in golf, school and life. I feel like I’ve grown so much as a person. And the guys I’ve played with are some of my closest friends.”
Eric Frazzetta and Kevin Rei recorded 1-over par 73s and lost tight matches by a single stroke. Bobby Bucey (+2) lost by one stroke as well. Sophomore Chris Doyle, the only non-senior on the squad, finished 6-over and lost by eight.
Chico State won the stroke play portion of the NCAA Championships to earn the top seed in medal/match play. The Wildcats defeated Central Oklahoma in the medal/match play quarterfinals and CCAA rival Cal State Stanislaus in the semifinals to reach the final. .
In medal/match play, players are paired to face off for the best 18-hole score. One point will be awarded to the winner of each individual match and the first team to three points wins. Ties are broken by overall team score. This was the second season that the NCAA has used medal/match play to determine the national champion.
CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH RESULTS
2012 NCAA Championship Medal/Match Play
Quarterfinals - Friday
#1 Chico State def. #8 Central Missouri 3-2
#4 Cal State Stanislaus def. #5 Georgia College & State 3-2
#2 Nova Southeastern def. #7 South Carolina-Aiken 4-1
#3 Central Oklahoma def. #6 Barry 3-2
Semifinals - Friday
#1 Chico State def. #4 Cal State Stanislaus 3-1-1
#2 Nova Southeastern def. #3 Central Oklahoma 2-2-1 (won overall strokes tiebreaker)
Final - Saturday
#2 Nova Southeastern def. #1 Chico State 5-0
