April 28, 2006

WACO, Texas - Baylor senior Ryan Baca (Richmond, Texas) was one of four players unanimously selected to the 10-member Big 12 All-Conference Men's Golf Team as voted on by the league's head coaches and announced by the conference office Friday.

With possibly three tournaments remaining, so far Baca has enjoyed the best season in Baylor history, currently ranking third nationally according to Golfweek. He has been named one of 10 semifinalists for the Ben Hogan Award, given annually to the nation's top collegiate golfer, and has been named to the six-member Palmer Cup Team, which will compete against Europe in Ryder Cup-style format June 29-30 in Prestwick, Scotland.

Baca won three straight tournaments this season, giving him a school record six career individual medalist honors. He also topped the school record with his 27th top-10 finish and is within one of leader Jimmy Walker on the all-time list of top-five finishes with 18. Baca leads the team with a 70.66 stroke average, which would break Aaron Pellegrom's record of 71.61 set during the 1999-2000 season.

At the UTSA Intercollegiate, Baca fired a school-record 54-hole total of 199, becoming the first player in Baylor history to break 200. His opening-round 64 was a career-best and only one shot off Johnny Arreaga's school-record round of 63.

Baca earned his third honor from the conference this year, as he was named the Big 12 Golfer of the Month for November and February.

Oklahoma State's Pablo Martin was the unanimous pick for Big 12 Player of the Year, while Oklahoma's Anthony Kim and Texas Tech's Oscar Floren were the other two unanimous selections to the squad. Oklahoma State's Jonathan Moore was selected as Big 12 Newcomer of the Year, while Oklahoma's Jim Ragan was named Big 12 Coach of the Year.

The Bears will await the NCAA Regional selections May 8 before returning to action at The Maxwell May 13-14 in Ardmore, Okla. The NCAA Regionals will be held May 18-20 in Cleveland; Orlando, Fla.; and Tucson, Ariz.