Newman Qualifies for NCAA II Men's Golf Super Regional
Brian Newman becomes first linkster in four years to advance to postseason play
April 27, 2004

CARSON, Calif.-Sophomore Brian Newman (Temecula/College of the Desert) has qualified as one of the top individuals to participate in the NCAA Division II West/Northwest Super Regional hosted by Western Washington University on May 3-5 at the Bellingham Golf and Country Club. Newman, one of five individual players selected to compete, becomes the first Toro golfer to advance to postseason play since David Kwon in 2000.

The winning school in each region earns an automatic berth to the NCAA II National Tournament at Orlando, Fla., on May 12-15. The next four teams in each region qualify for consideration for a total of eight at-large berths. Last year, the West sent the maximum five teams to nationals, earning four at-large spots.

In addition, the top individual in each region from schools not qualifying for nationals earns an individual berth to the national tourney.

Chico State, ranked No.1 nationally both by Golfstat and by the NCAA Division II coaches poll, is the top seed in the West Region. The Wildcats, who finished fifth in the 2003 NCAA II National Tournament, are led by J.J. Jakovac, a first-team All-American last year who is the top-ranked player in the country with a 70.4 stroke average.

In the most recent Golfstat rankings, Cal State Bakersfield is rated fifth nationally, Cal State Stanislaus sixth, Western seventh, Hawaii-Hilo 10th and UC San Diego 12th.

The Bellingham Golf and Country Club will play at 6,523 yards and par-72 for the Super Regional. That's somewhat shorter than many courses the teams play during the season, but the course also provides a different set of challenges from longer ones.

2004 WEST/NORTHWEST SUPER REGIONAL
1. Chico State
2. Cal State Bakersfield
3. Cal State Stanislaus
4. UC San Diego
5. Western Washington
6. Hawaii-Hilo
7. Grand Canyon
8. Saint Martin's
Individuals
Bryan Newman, Cal State Dominguez Hills
Ryan Plummer, Cal State San Bernardino
Andy Ainsworth, Western New Mexico
Adam Lewis, Sonoma State
Jason Myers, Western New Mexico