fThe 35th-ranked University of Minnesota men's golf team finished the 2001 NCAA Central Regional in a tie for fourth place, earning the right to advance to the NCAA Championships by way of its top 10 finish. The Golden Gophers shot a final round score of eight-over 296 to finish with a 54-hole total of 885 and place in a tie for fourth with the College of Charleston. Freshman Justin Smith was Minnesota's highest finisher with a four-over 220 at the par 72, 7,027-yard Karsten Creek Golf Course in Stillwater, Okla.

Kent State, Oklahoma and Purdue shared the Central Regional title, with each team shooting a 19-over score of 883. Rounding out the 10 NCAA Championships qualifiers are host Oklahoma State (887), Augusta State (887), Toledo (891), Southern Methodist (892) and Houston (892). The Golden Gophers move on to their fourth consecutive national tournament. The Central Regional is one of three tournaments that determine the participants for the 2001 NCAA Men's Golf Championships at the Duke University Golf Club in Durham, N.C., from May 30-June 2.

Smith, a native of Moon Township, Pa., shot a final round 73 to lead the Golden Gophers. Rounding out the Maroon and Gold results were sophomore Wilhelm Schauman and freshman Simon Nash in 33rd place at 222 (+6), sophomore Ben Meyers in 78th place at 228 (+12), and sophomore Joe Affrunti in 85th place at 229 (+13). John Klauk of Texas took individual medalist honors with a three-day total of 212 (-4), one shot ahead of Martin Flores of Oklahoma.

In perhaps the most stunning news from the Central Regional, Big Ten Champions Luke Donald and his Northwestern team failed to qualify for the NCAA Championships, finishing a disappointing 15th in the 27-team event at 896.

Final tournament results are available at www.okstate.com or www.golfstat.com.

NCAA Central Regional Karsten Creek Golf Course Stillwater, Okla. Par: 72 Yardage: 7,027 54-Hole Team Results Team Scores 1. Kent State 289-296-298=883 +19 1. Oklahoma 293-291-299=883 +19 1. Purdue 297-293-293=883 +19 4. Minnesota 292-297-296=885 +21 4. Charleston 291-287-307=885 +21 6. Oklahoma State 292-301-294=887 +23 6. Augusta State 293-302-293=887 +23 8. Toledo 301-296-294=891 +27 9. Southern Methodist 299-300-293=892 +28 9. Houston 293-304-295=892 +28 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- 11. Ohio State 292-306-295=893 +29 11. Tulsa 297-299-297=893 +29 13. Texas A&M 291-298-305=894 +30 14. North Carolina 299-296-300=895 +31 15. Northwestern 304-299-293=896 +32 15. Kansas 303-300-293=896 +32 17. Colorado 298-300-300=898 +34 18. Texas 294-306-299=899 +35 18. Lamar 301-303-295=899 +35 20. Baylor 292-302-308=902 +38 20. Arkansas-Little Rock 303-306-293=902 +38 22. TCU 309-303-293=905 +41 23. Louisiana-Lafayette 300-311-295=906 +42 24. Wichita State 302-309-300=911 +47 25. Arkansas State 302-303-309=914 +50 26. North Florida 298-311-306=915 +51 27. Jackson State 333-320-306=959 +95 NCAA Central Regional Karsten Creek Golf Course Stillwater, Okla. Par: 72 Yardage: 7,027 54-Hole Individual Results Player School Scores 1. John Klauk Texas 68-73-71=212 -4 2. Martin Flores Oklahoma 70-70-73=213 -3 3. Andy Stewart Kansas 66-76-72=214 -2 4. Jon Mills Kent State 67-74-74=215 -1 5. Brad Heaven Toledo 71-74-71=216 E 5. Mike Austin Ohio State 68-75-73=216 E 5. Lee Williamson Purdue 74-69-73=216 E 5. Jimmy Walker Baylor 69-73-74=216 E 9. David Inglis Tulsa 74-73-70=217 +1 9. Franklin Hatchett SMU 72-75-70=217 +1 9. Jedd McLuen Charleston 72-73-72=217 +1 Golden Gopher Scores Place Player Scores T20 Justin Smith 73-74-73=220 +4 T33 Wilhelm Schauman 69-78-75=222 +6 T33 Simon Nash 77-73-72=222 +6 T78 Ben Meyers 76-76-76=228 +12 T85 Joe Affrunti 74-74-81=229 +13