The University of California San Diego men’s golf team is heading to the NCAA Division II Championships after placing second at the West/South Central Regional at The Ledges Golf Club in southwestern Utah.
Two Tritons also placed among the top five in the field of 108.
Junior Hayden Hui had a stellar three days for the Tritons and was the runner-up of the Regional, finishing just one stroke behind the champion with an 11 under par 205. Junior Adam Navigato finished in a four-way tie for fourth place.
UC San Diego finished 13 under par with a three-round total of 851 to earn its best finish in seven trips to the Division II Regional. The Tritons carded rounds of 287, 289, and 275 during the 54-hole tournament.
It was the team’s best finish in the Regionals since 2004, when UCSD placed fourth. Hui is the top UCSD performer at the Regionals since 2011.
The top four teams from the regional advanced to the NCAA Division II Championships, which begin May 20 at The Resort at Glade Springs in West Virginia.
Joining UC San Diego are regional champion Dixie State, third-place Cal State Monterey Bay, and fourth-place Sonoma State. UC San Diego, Cal State Monterey Bay, and Sonoma State all hail from the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA), while Dixie State, which hosted the regional, is out of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC).
Hui’s 67 in the final round equaled his career best, which he has now shot three times. He has been UC San Diego’s top performer in 10 of 12 events this season. In addition, Junior Jacob Johnson moved up an impressive 34 spots in the standings, tying for 42nd with a 3 over 219.
Chase Carlson of Colorado Christian, who was playing as an individual, not part of a team, was the regional champion.
UC San Diego had previously played The Ledges this season, finishing in tied for 21st.
It will be UC San Diego’s second appearance in the NCAA Division II Championships. The Tritons qualified in 2004 and placed 15th.
– Staff reports
