Tiger Men's Golf Finishes Seventh In NCAA Division III Championships

HOWEY-IN-THE-HILLS, Fla. — It was a national tournament finish coveted by teams throughout the nation, and an achievement just four previous Wittenberg Tiger men's golf teams had ever exceeded. Yet the prevailing emotion following the fourth and final round of the 2012 NCAA Division III Championships was one of dissatisfaction after Wittenberg finished in a tie for seventh place.

"To have such a remarkable season and have the guys feel a bit disappointed at the end bodes well for Tiger golf," said Head Coach Jeff Roope, who has earned North Coast Athletic Conference Coach of the Year honors three straight years. "I couldn't be prouder of the young men they are and will become."

The resilience the five Tigers assembled at Mission Inn Resort for the national tournament was remarkable. It also likely took its toll. After rallying from a disastrous front nine on the opening day to make the 15-team cut with a sizzling round of 293 on Day 2, the Tigers closed to a tie for seventh after the third round. Wittenberg kept the momentum going to start the fourth round, moving all the way into the top four before severe weather moved into the area and suspended play.

When play resumed, the Tigers struggled to the finish line, dropping seven strokes over the final five holes collectively. Still, Wittenberg carded the third-best round of the day at 303 to finish with a four-day total of 1202.

Host Oglethorpe completed a tremendous wire-to-wire performance to win the tournament going away, posting a score of 1171 to outdistance Transylvania by 20 strokes. Top-ranked Methodist finished third at 1192, followed by Claremont-Mudd-Scripps, Redlands and Texas-Tyler. Wittenberg finished in a tie with St. John Fisher.

Individually, Wittenberg was paced by sophomore David Wetterich (Cincinnati, Ohio/LaSalle), who placed 14th with a four-day total of 297. He capped his week with a team-best 74, and he became just the eighth player in program history to finish in the top 15 at an NCAA Tournament. His 14th-place finish earned Wetterich second-team All-America honors.

Freshman Alex Andrews (Kirtland, Ohio/Gilmour Academy) was next with a score of 301 after finishing with a 75 on Day 4. He placed 31st in the final standings.

Rounding things out for the Tigers were sophomore Jack Uecker (Akron, Ohio/St. Vincent-St. Mary) with a 307, good for 52nd, junior Craig Osterbrock (Wilmington, Ohio/Wilmington) with a 315, which put him 68th, and senior Jordan Millice (Cable, Ohio/Triad) with a 316 for 70th place.

Wittenberg's best team finish as an NCAA Championship came in 1990 when the Tigers finished in a tie for fourth place.