Final results
FLORENCE, Ala. -- The ACU Wildcats fired a 7-under-par 281 on Wednesday to storm from fourth place to a second-place finish at the NCAA Division II South / South Central Super Regional, earning an at-large bid to the NCAA national tournament in two weeks in Allendale, Mich.
The Wildcats -- ranked No. 14 in the nation -- fired the best round of the day to come from fourth place to a finish of second at the regional tournament, finishing nine shots behind Cameron. The Aggies won the tournament and the region's automatic bid to the national tournament by finishing the 54-hole tournament at 8-over-par 872. ACU finished at 17-over-par 881, while St. Edward's and Central Oklahoma finished tied for third at 19-over-par 883.
ACU's play earned the Wildcats an at-large bid to the national tournament, a tournament that has eluded them since 1998.
"That was just a great feeling coming down the last few holes knowing that we had a chance to get in," ACU head coach Mike Campbell said. "The way we played today ... we really earned our place in the national tournament."
Late in the round with the Wildcats in the clubhouse at 17-over-par, Central Oklahoma closed to within a shot and St. Edward's to within two shots with three holes to play. But neither the Bronchos nor the Hilltoppers were able to pass the Wildcats.
"We never root against anyone, but we were sure watching the scores very closely," Campbell said. "It was pretty exciting in the room when we realized we had second place and an at-large bid."
Freshman sensation Hugues Joannes led the Wildcat charge by firing a 4-under-par 66 on Wednesday to finish at 6-under-par 210 for the tournament, one shot behind individual winner Mitch Boles of Central Oklahoma, who shot a 69 on Wednesday to finish at 7-under-par 209.
Joannes -- who had eight birdies -- capped his round by hitting his tee shot to within six inches on the 181-yard par-3 ninth hole (ACU started on the back nine). He tapped in for birdie and a 66. But he had help as the Wildcats got rounds of 70 from Kyle Byerly and Curtis Harris and 71 from Stephen Knight. Patrick Hanauer was 6-over-par through five holes, but played to 3-under-par over the final 13 holes, although his final-round 75 was thrown out.
"Hugues played great today and really led us," Campbell said. "But all of the guys played well. It's been a long time coming for ACU to get back on the national golf scene, and I'm so proud of these guys for getting us back to the national tournament."
