Men’s Golf Finishes No. 11 At NCAA Championship

The Alabama men's golf team has ended its run in the NCAA championship at No. 11 on the fourth and final day of stroke play.

Before arriving at Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale, Arizona, the team performed outstandingly to claim the Norman Regional title. All five starting golfers for the Tide finished under par for the three-round event.

Teeing off in Scottsdale, the team struggled with the heat and conditions of the course. The temperature stayed in the high 90s for each of the four rounds of stroke play. Freshman Nick Dunlap explained how he is dealing with the heat.

"It's hot; I think I've gone through two boxes of Pedialyte in four days," said Dunlap. "It's really, really, really hot, and you don't really know it until it kind of hits you. You start getting a little dizzy, lightheaded, and then not being able to add what six plus four was on the last hole."

While the team fought through its first 36-holes, they needed a push to ensure its place above the 54-hole cutline. In the third round, Dunlap single-handedly boosted the team with his 4-under-par 66.

In the fourth round of stroke play, the Tide needed to finish in the top eight to advance to the match play portion of the championship. Starting on the outside looking in, the team must have one of its best rounds of the season to make it.

Despite a valiant effort from seniors Canon Claycomb and Thomas Ponder, the Crimson Tide fell short of the cutline, tying for No. 11 with the No. 1 ranked Vanderbilt Commodores. Claycomb shared his emotions after the fourth round.

"I don't know if disappointed would be the word to use," said Claycomb. "Disappointing was last year, this year was exciting and fun, and I loved being a part of Alabama golf, which last year, I don't know if I could say the same. I'm just really happy, and we're returning everyone, so I'm more excited than I am about anything else."

Head coach Jay Seawell was incredibly proud of his team, and the season they were able to put together. He summarized his thoughts after the round.

"As a coach, I can't be more proud," said Seawell. "We didn't win, but we won a lot of things."

The Crimson Tide is returning all of its starters for the next season and will look to return to the NCAA National Championship in 2024.