May 31, 2008

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WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The UAB men's golf team fell short of its NCAA Championship dreams, closing play in 22nd overall through three rounds of the 2008 NCAA Men's Golf Championships. The Blazers' finish was the second-best in three national appearances in school history, as they closed play with a team total of 923 (311-297-315).

"I'm disappointed with how we finished, but I am very happy with what this team achieved this season," UAB head coach Alan Kaufman said. "This team is the first to have ever won a conference championship and really met my expectations. I am proud of each and every player."

This year's team not only won the program's first-ever Conference USA Championship, but also recorded the highest finish in NCAA Regional player (fifth-place finish at this year's NCAA East Regional) and second-best NCAA Nationals result. On top of that, the squad also broke 18-hole, 36-hole and 54-hole school records with a second-place finish at the Jerry Pate Intercollegiate.

The Blazers had to conclude their third round on early Friday morning, as Thursday's round was cut short with teams still on the course due to severe weather coming into the area. Prior to the 5:45 p.m. EST suspension, play was delayed from 4:15 to 4:55 as lightning from the approaching storm system encroached upon the Birck Boilermaker Complex.

UAB entered Friday morning's conclusion of the third round in 19th overall and had a chance to position itself into the top 15. Teams who did not finish among the top 15 following three rounds of play were cut from contention.

The Blazers were led in the tournament by senior Brad Smith (75-71-85) and junior Zach Sucher (79-71-81) who both shot 231 over 54 holes. Sophomore Adam West also performed well, finishing with a 233 (74-83-76). West led all UAB golfers with a four-over par 76 on the final day of competition.

Senior Kyle Sapp closed his career with a 237 (84-76-77, while junior Mike Oimoen recorded a 243 (83-79-81) on the 7,450-yard Kampen Course.

After three rounds, No. 4 UCLA (298-888) is in the lead followed by No. 3 USC (300-891), No. 14 Clemson (288-891), No. 6 Stanford (296-893), No. 5 Oklahoma State (301-895), No. 7 Florida (306-899), Kent State (302-900), No. 2 Georgia (305-901), Washington (307-902), No. 1 Alabama (297-903), No. 8 Charlotte (306-907), No. 23 Louisville (300-907), San Diego State (294-907), No. 18 Texas A&M (306-909) and Middle Tennessee State (311-913).

Under the cut line are Auburn (304-914), No. 19 Arizona State (312-916), Illinois (312-916), Texas (297-920), UC-Irvine (302-919), No. 24 Indiana (297-920), UAB (315-923), No. 17 Wake Forest (305-923), No. 20 East Tenn. State (310-923), Penn State (313-926), Virginia (312-935), Mississippi State (312-935), Oregon (316-935), Augusta State (320-936) and St. Mary's (307-949).

UCLA's Kevin Chappell (68-210) is currently in the individual lead, followed by Clemson's Kyle Stanley (74-214) and Washington's Nick Taylor (73-214).

Round four tee times were set for 11:18 a.m. Live stats for fourth round action can be found at www.golfstat.com.