Surprising Hoyas begin NCAA regional play
The Georgetown golf team’s postseason prospects were not high entering the Big East tournament. The Hoyas were ranked 211th out of 304 teams in the NCAA and seeded 11th out of 12 in the conference.
But that was before the Hoyas won their first conference title in 12 years and became one of the most unlikely participants in the NCAA tournament, which opens Thursday at six regional sites.
Georgetown is one of 14 teams in the region qualifier at the Traditions Club in College Station, Texas. The low five advance to the NCAA championships June 1-6 at the Honors Course in Chattanooga, Tenn.
“This is obviously the best competition we’ve faced in my four years,” senior co-captain Trevor Matese (Georgetown Prep) said. “Most of these teams have big advantages: facilities, money, they’re flying to all their matches. We’re the little guys, no doubt, but we believe if we play to our potential, we can compete.”
The berth is the third in the 25-year tenure of coach Tommy Hunter.
“There were a lot of congratulations, people telling us whatever we do in Texas is gravy,” Hunter said. “We were nice about it, but to hell with that. We didn’t come down here to get pats on the back.”
After their showing in the Big East tournament, the Hoyas can think big.
At the Island Course at the Innisbrook (Fla.) Resort, senior Vincenzo Salina (72-69-74 — 215) made a par on the 54th hole, sinking a clutch 8-footer. Salina then drained a 25-footer for birdie to edge Evan Beirne of St. John’s, Tom Usher of Notre Dame and Max Scodro of Notre Dame in a four-way playoff for the individual title.
Salina, who is from Switzerland, is Georgetown’s first Big East individual champion since 1998.
Another key player for Georgetown was junior Brandon Ellis (216), who finished a stroke behind the playoff participants. In just his second match this year, junior Dan Hathway (Georgetown Prep) also made a big contribution, shooting 219.
