Virginia finishes seventh at NCAA Regional

Courtesy UVA Media Relations

The No. 33 Virginia men’s golf team placed seventh at the NCAA Regional in Kingston Springs, Tenn. and failed to advance to the NCAA Championships. The Cavaliers shot 2-over 286 during Wednesday’s final round for a three-day total of 5-over 857.

The five teams to advance from the regional to the national tournament were Vanderbilt (834), Arkansas (845), San Diego State (847), NC State and Clemson (849). Charlotte was sixth at 851.

Virginia was led by the eighth-place effort of sophomore Pietro Bovari. He shot even par 71 on Wednesday for a 54-hole total of 4-under 209. Only one individual, not associated with a team advancing to the national championships, qualifies from the regional site to the NCAA Championships. Bovari was one stroke behind that player – Michigan State’s James Piot – who placed fourth at 5-under 208.

Near the end of its final round UVA was in contention and just three shots out of fifth place thanks to the remarkable mid-round play of freshman George Duangmanee. He made five consecutive birdies over holes nine through 13 and stood at 5-under par for the day after his 17h hole. Unfortunately, the talented first-year player shot 4-over 8 on his final hole and he finished the day at 1-under 70. Duangmanee moved up to place 39th at 5-over 218.

Senior Andrew Orisachak was UVA’s number-two finisher. He posted a final-round score of 71 and was 24th overall at 1-over 214. Senior WeiWei Gao was 48th at 221 and Chris Fosdick was 54th at 224.