One of the finest seasons in TCU golf history came to a close on Saturday afternoon when Horned Frog sophomore
J.J. Killeen putted in on the 18th hole at the 2003 NCAA Central Regional in Manhattan, Kan. The Frogs, who began the day in 13th place, fired a two-over-par score of 290 in the final round to finish in 16th with an 877 (+13).
Only the top 10 teams from each region advance to the NCAA Division I Men's Championship from May 27-30 at Oklahoma State's Karsten Creek Course in Stillwater, Okla. Wichita State (871) was the final team to qualify for the championships.
"We really had a great season," TCU head coach Bill Montigel said. "It is disappointing that it ended this way, but we knew coming in that it was going to be very tough. There is so much parity in college golf and there are so many good college golfers out there, that anything can happen. We played pretty well today, but when you have this type of competition, you have to play well all three days."
The Horned Frogs, who tied for 11th at last year's NCAA Championships, were in search of their 13th all-time appearance in the championships and their 10th under head coach Bill Montigel. TCU, the Conference USA champions, entered the regional rated eighth in the nation according to the Golfweek/Sagarin rankings and tied a school record with three tournament championships on the year.
Adam Meyer was the Frogs' top overall finisher at the tournament (T-43rd) with a three-over-par 219. He posted a one-under 71 in the final round.
Sophomore J.J. Killeen and senior Adam Rubinson were one stroke behind Meyer, recording scores of 220 that placed them 48th. Killeen, who had a birdie and an eagle through three holes today, had a two-over 74 in the final round. Meanwhile, Rubinson closed out a brilliant career with an even-par 72.
"I can't say enough about Adam Rubinson," Montigel said. "He is an outstanding young man who had a great career. Adam really led this team on and off the course. We will miss him next year, but we will have a strong nucleus of returners and hope to compete on the national level again."
Among the other returnees are sophomore David Schultz, who posted a 54-hole 225 (+9), and freshman Colby Beckstrom, whose 80 in the final round gave him a three-round 235 (+19). Schultz, who tied for 96th, closed with his best score of the three-day event, notching a one-over 73.
Team Results:
1. Oklahoma State 285-289-282=856 (-8); 2. Illinois 275-295-291=861 (-3); 3. North Carolina State 283-289-290=862 (-2); T-4. North Carolina 283-295-289=867 (+3); T-4. Texas 285-298-284=867 (+3); 6. Kentucky 280-301-288=869 (+5); T-7. SMU 277-301-292=870 (+6); T-7. Minnesota 287-297-286=870 (+6); T-7. Arkansas 286-292-292=870 (+6); 10. Wichita State 290-287-294=871 (+7); 11. Kansas State 287-305-280=872 (+8); 12. Texas Tech 296-293-285=874 (+10); 13. Lamar 285-304-286=875 (+11); T-14. Toledo 295-301-280=876 (+12); T-14. Ohio State 293-293-290=876 (+12); 16. TCU 287-300-290=877 (+13); T-17. Kent State 291-295-293=879 (+15); T-17. North Texas 285-303-291=879 (+15); 19. Kansas 295-298-288=881 (+17); 20. Oklahoma 292-296-294=882 (+18); T-20. Michigan State 289-300-293=882 (+18); 22. Northwestern 287-308-289=894 (+20); T-23. Tulsa 291-299-297=887 (+23); T-23. Wright State 297-297-293=887 (+23); T-23. Texas A&M 296-297-294=887 (+23); 26. Missouri 298-300-290=888 (+24); 27. Baylor 289-313-291=893 (+29).
Individual Results:
T-43. Adam Meyer 73-75-71=219 (+3); T-48. J.J. Killeen 74-72-74=220 (+4); T-48. Adam Rubinson 71-77-72=220 (+4); T-96. David Schultz 76-76-73=225 (+9); T-137. Colby Beckstrom 69-86-80=235 (+19).
