Warner Pacific Places 6th at NAIA Qualifier
SEASIDE, Calif. - The Warner Pacific men's golf team wrapped up the 2011-12 season with a 6th place finish at the NAIA Unaffiliated Grouping #2 national qualifying tournament held at Black Horse Golf Course in Seaside.
The Knights slipped two spots on day 2, shooting 321 aver the 18 holes. The three round total score for WP was 932 (+68), just two strokes behind 5th place Biola University.
The Qualifying Tournament includes teams from the Golden State Athletic Conference, California Pacific Conference, and Cascade Collegiate Conference with the winning team earning an automatic berth to this year's national tournament in two weeks. Point Loma Nazarene, ranked No. 11 in the latest NAIA Coaches' Poll, captured the automatic berth to this year's NAIA National Championship Tournament after posting a three-round total of 15-over 879 (291-281-307).
John-Michael Pilot was the top golfer for the Knights, as his score of 228 (73, 72, 80, +12) was good for a tie for 14th place overall. A.J. Nelson carded 80 on day three, and finished in a tie for 28th overall at +20 for the tourney. Andrew Johnson capped a solid junior season in a tie for 32nd place (77, 76, 84, +21).
Michael Salisbury (78, 78, 81, +21) matched Johnson in 32nd place, while Joe Thompson hit the clubhouse in a tie for 45th place (80, 82, 82, +28).
"The conditions were not as favorable on the second day, as nearly every team in the field struggled a little in round three," said coach James Robertson. "We just gave back a few more strokes than some other squads. Overall I am very pleased with our showing. Placing 6th in our first ever regional tournament is nothing to be angry about. The guys represented Warner Pacific and the Cascade Conference well. Knight Golf has a bright future!"