IUP Wins NCAA East Region Golf Title and Advances to Nationals

Complete Results

The IUP golf team earned its first trip to the NCAA Division II national tournament since 1999, coasting to a 15-stroke victory at the East Region tournament held at the Pine Barrens Golf Club.

IUP had a sizzling score of even par 288 in Wednesday’s third and final round to open up what had been just a one shot lead entering the final 18 holes.  The Indians finished at 898, easily ahead of runner-up West Liberty State, which shot a 913.

Clarion was hot on the heels of IUP through Tuesday’s second round, pulling to within one shot of the Indians, but could not maintain the pace and finished another two strokes back at 915.

Rounding out the field were Charleston (916), Concord (931), Shepherd (935), Ohio Valley (939) and Fairmont State (950).

IUP had been the top seeded team in the East Region entering the tournament and lived up to its lofty ranking, securing a trip to nationals at the Club at Savannah Harbor in Georgia on May 17-20.

Freshman Graham Hill and junior Brian Galica were the top IUP individuals, tying for second with four-over par scores of 220.  Galica had the best score in the final round, firing a three-under total of 69.

Hill and Galica finished seven shots behind medalist Matt Hicks of West Liberty State, who will represent the East Region at the national tournament.