TCU Men's Golf Is Tied For Second At NCAA Central Regional

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (May 16, 2002) - The top-seeded TCU Horned Frogs began the NCAA Central Regionals with a solid one-over par score of 289 to rest in a share of second place following Thursday?s opening round at the Pleasant Valley Country Club in Little Rock, Ark. The eighth-ranked Frogs are making their 13th consecutive appearance in the regionals and are looking to qualify for the NCAA Championships for the eighth time under head coach Bill Montigel.

TCU sits just two strokes behind sixth-rated Oklahoma State (287) and in a deadlock with two other Big 12 teams--Kansas and Oklahoma. The top 10 teams all are within seven strokes of the lead.

"The guys really came out and competed well today," Montigel said. "You never can win a tournament on the first day, but you always can lose it. We put ourselves in a good position to contend with some of the nation's best over the next two days."

Bret Guetz, Conference USA medalist and April Golfer of the Month, continued his torrid play. He fired a four-under par 68 to pace the Horned Frogs. The senior, who has won two consecutive tournaments, currently sits in a tie for first place with Oklahoma's John Kidwell. Guetz used an eagle on the par-5 10th to push himself to the front of the pack.

Adam Rubinson played even-par golf on the afternoon thanks to a birdie on No. 18 to close the round. At 72, he is in a tie for 24th place after day one. Andy Doeden shrugged off a slow start, in which he had a bogey and double-bogey to open, to record a two-over par 74. The senior all-conference performer is now in a tie for 43rd position.

Freshman J.J. Killeen registered a 75 (+3) on the first 18 holes and owns a share of 57th place. Steve Shuert (82, T-126th) is TCU's final competitor.

TCU tees off in round two on Friday beginning at 7:12 a.m. (CT). The Frogs once again will be paired with North Carolina State and Oklahoma State. The third and final round will begin at 7:12 on Saturday morning.

Each of the three regionals (Central, East and West) consists of 54 holes and features 27 teams and the top six individuals not on those teams. The top 10 teams from each of three regionals advance to the NCAA Championships, which will be held May 29-June 1 at the Scarlet Course in Columbus, Ohio.

Team Totals:
1. Oklahoma State 287 (-1); T-2. TCU 289 (+1); T-2. Kansas 289 (+1); T-2. Oklahoma 289 (+1); 5. Purdue 290 (+2); T-6. SMU 291 (+3); T-6. Toledo 291 (+3); T-8. Alabama 292 (+4); T-8. Baylor 292 (+4); 10. Illinois 293 (+5); T-11. Colorado 294 (+6); T-11. North Carolina State 294 (+6); T-13. Tulsa 296 (+8); T-13. Virginia Tech 296 (+8); T-15. Missouri 298 (+10); T-15. Northwestern 298 (+10); 17. Maryland 299 (+11); 18. LSU 301 (+13); 19. Texas-Arlington 303 (+15); 20. Houston 304 (+16); 21. Lamar 306 (+18); 22. St. John's 308 (+20); 23. Austin Peay State 313 (+25); T-24. Arkansas State 314 (+26); T-24. Princeton 314 (+26); 26. Army 319 (+31); 27. Jackson State 337 (+49).

Individual Totals:
T-1. Bret Guetz 68 (-4); T-24. Adam Rubinson 72 (E); T-43. Andy Doeden 74 (+2); T-57. J.J. Killeen 75 (+3); T-126. Steve Shuert 82 (+10).