For the first time since 2001 – and only the second time in program history – the men’s golf team has qualified for the NCAA men’s golf championship. Led by freshman and newly minted Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) Golfer of the Year Kieron van Wyk, the Cougars placed fifth on Wednesday, May 18, 2022, at the NCAA Regional in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, becoming one of 30 teams at six regional sites to secure a spot at the national championship. Van Wyk, who became the first Black golfer to win the CAA individual title in late April, held the individual lead through two rounds before winding up tied for fourth with a 4-under score of 212. Another freshman, CAA Rookie of the Year Nevill Ruiter, also came up big with a final round of 69 to finish at 1-under.
With the top five finishing teams advancing, CofC entered the final day tied for fifth. They fell to sixth early in the final round, but surged in impressive, emphatic fashion over the last 12 holes. The Cougars finished at 14-over par for the week, 11 strokes ahead of sixth-place No. 45 Little Rock, followed by such other nationally ranked teams as No. 26 Purdue, No. 15 Notre Dame and No. 34 New Mexico.
“I’m so incredibly proud of this group of young men,” said head coach Mitch Krywulycz, the CAA Coach of the Year for the second straight season. “Advancing through an NCAA Regional is exceptionally difficult with an experienced team – with multiple freshmen and new faces it’s almost unheard of. We spoke in our team meeting last night about how difficult today would be, and the pressure they would feel and the intensity at this level. They handled the moment incredibly well and as a program I think this shows the college golf world what we’re capable of.”
The Cougars qualified for the regional tournament by winning the CAA Championship in late April at Dataw Island, South Carolina. The NCAA championship kicks off on Friday, May 27, 2022, at Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale, Arizona.
For the full report, visit cofcsports.com.
