Wright State golf team headed to Washington State for NCAA regional

The Raiders qualified for NCAA tournament for the first time in 15 years after winning the Horizon League.

It’s been 15 years since the Wright State golf team has played in the NCAA tournament, but 2019 is the year for the team’s return. The Raiders will play in the Pullman, Washington, regional May 13­–15.

“I am just really proud of these guys,” head coach Brian Arlinghaus said. “The day-­to-­day grind since August shows in the smiles on their faces. They worked hard for this and deserve it.”

“We’ve been waiting since last Tuesday to find out, and it’s an awesome feeling,” senior Mitch Lehigh said. “It’s the last place we thought we would be sent to, but we will take it.”

Six 54­-hole regional tournaments will be held May 13­–15. Thirteen teams and 10 individuals not on those teams will compete at each of three regionals while the other three regionals will have 14 teams and five individuals not on those teams — 81 total teams and 45 individuals. The low five teams and the low individual not on those teams from each regional will advance to the finals May 24­–29 at Blessings Golf Club in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

After being picked to finish third in the preseason poll, Wright State won the Horizon League tournament on April 23 at Howey-­in-­the-­Hills, Florida, to claim the Raiders’ first league title since 2004.

Bryce Haney and Cole Corder were named to the All­Horizon League Tournament Team. Haney, a sophomore from Huber Heights, finished second overall just three strokes from the medalist spot with rounds of 74­–72­–72=218. Corder, a freshman from Powell, Ohio, placed third overall with scores of 78–71–71=220. Austin Schoonmaker shot 74­–75–­76=225 to finish tied for 10th.

The Raiders were led much of the season by Schoonmaker with a 73.6 average through 33 rounds with four of 70 or lower while Lehigh averaged 74.5 in 33 rounds. The Raiders won Horizon League/MCC championships in 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003 and 2004 with a Mid­Continent (now Summit League) title in 1993, making four NCAA appearances prior to this season.

Palouse Ridge Golf Club, Pullman, Washington, Hosted by Washington State University:

  1. Oklahoma
  2. Georgia Tech [Atlantic Coast Conference]
  3. South Carolina
  4. Texas A&M
  5. UCLA
  6. Brigham Young
  7. Colorado State
  8. Florida
  9. Michigan State
  10. Purdue
  11. Kent State [Mid­American Conference]
  12. Northern Colorado [Big Sky Conference]
  13. Wright State [Horizon League]
  14. Iona [Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference]

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