INDIANAPOLIS -- Ohio golfer Erik Herberth is one of six individuals selected to compete in the Division I Men's Golf Central Regional, the NCAA announced last night. The competition takes place May 16-18 at Pleasant Valley Golf Course in Little Rock, Ark., and includes 27 full teams and the six individuals.
"It was unexpected," admitted Herberth. "I thought that I had hit my last collegiate putt last weekend, but now I have to get ready. It means a lot to me because I have worked all season toward this. My spring wasn't as strong, but I still had some top 10s. I go out to practice everyday hoping for an opportunity like this."
Herberth, a senior from Avon Lake, led the Bobcats in scoring this year with a 72.19 stroke average. He placed in the top 20 in eight of Ohio's 10 tournaments this year, including four in the top 5. Herberth finished at par or better in 14 of his 31 rounds and shot in the 60s seven times. His low round was a 64 at the Xavier Provident Invitational.
The first-ever Bobcat to earn an individual spot in an NCAA regional, Herberth was named All-Mid-American Conference Sunday after a seventh-place finish in the league championship.
Herberth started the season strong, recording a 69.91 scoring average in four fall tournaments, including medalist honors at Eastern Kentucky's Colonel Classic and Xavier's Provident Invitational. He also tied for second at the ODU/Seascape Collegiate.
"This is a great honor for Erik and the Ohio golf program," said head coach Bob Cooley. "He proved to be one of the best players in the country by his national ranking and his selection to the regional. He has broken all the school records and deserves to go."
The full field includes TCU, North Carolina State, Oklahoma State, Virginia Tech, Oklahoma, Toledo, Purdue, Lamar, Baylor, Alabama, LSU, Tulsa, Kansas, Southern Methodist, Illinois, Houston, Missouri, Colorado, Texas-Arlington, Northwestern, Arkansas State, Maryland, St. John's, Austin Peay State, Princeton, Army, Jackson State. The individuals selected are Gibby Martens (Texas-San Antonio), John Holmes (Kentucky), David Jenkins (Southwest Missouri State), Adrian Mork (McNeese State), Aaron Watkins (Kansas State) and Herberth.
The top 10 teams and two individuals not included on those teams will advance to the NCAA Championship at Ohio State's Scarlet Course May 29-June 1.
