May 18, 2002

ROSWELL, Ga. - After a disastrous final round, the Wake Forest men's golf team finished 11th at the NCAA East Regional on Saturday, just one stroke away from qualifying for the NCAA Championships.

The day, which started chilly, rainy and windy, never seemed to get going for Wake Forest. After starting on hole No. 10 and playing the tougher back nine first, the Deacs found themselves in a hole quickly, shooting as high as 21-over par late in the round.

Wake did make a small comeback with several birdies on the final few holes. But it was only able to make up for part of the deficit, as they finished the day with a 17-over 305 on Saturday's 18. After entering the day with a 19-over 595, WFU finished the tournament with a 36-over 900, just one stroke back of Florida and Georgia Southern, the final two teams to qualify for the championships.

Clemson and Georgia Tech shared team champion honors, both finishing with an ???. A third ACC squad, North Carolina, placed third, one stroke back of the Tigers and Jackets. Other East Region teams to qualify for the Championships include (in order): Augusta State, VCU, Georgia Southern, Auburn, Georgia, Florida and.UAB.

Despite a 78 on Saturday, Deacon sophomore Bill Haas posted Wake's best finish, placing 26th with a seven-over 223. Junior Chris Yoder birdied his final hole for the second straight day to finish with a nine-over 225. Teammate Chad Wilfong carded the Deacs' best score on Saturday with an even 72 to also finish nine over for the tournament. Yoder and Wilfong tied for 36th overall.

Brent Wanner finished 60th in the standings after turning in an 80 on Saturday and totalling an 11-over 227.

Senior Jay Morgan struggled throughout the entire tournament, ending with an 82 on Saturday and finishing 99th with a 239.

Despite the disappointing finish, the 2001-02 season still goes down as one of the more successful in recent WFU golf history. The Deacs were ranked in the top three in the country during the entire season and won two tournaments - the Birkdale and The Intercollegiate. Wake loses just one player, Morgan, to graduation, and will return five regular contributors next fall.

2002 NCAA East Regional Championship
Ansley Golf Club's Settindown Creek
par 72 * 7,054 yards

11 Wake Forest 299-296-305 900 +36
t26 Bill Haas 74-71-78 223 +7
t36 Chris Yoder 74-76-75 225 +9
t36 Chad Wilfong 78-75-72 225 +9
t60 Brent Wanner 73-74-80 227 +11
t106 Jay Morgan 78-79-82 239 +23