Oilers Make History | Punch Ticket to NCAA DII National Championship

Results

Noblesville, Ind.- The University of Findlay men's golf team concluded the 2022 NCAA DII Midwest/Central Regional, today May 7, at Purgatory Golf Club. Due to weather, the tournament schedule was jumbled in order to get the 54-holes of stroke play completed. The area had two inches of rain this week making the course conditions tough for the Oilers. However, they battled back to finish in a tie for fifth and punching their ticket to the 2022 NCAA Division II National Championship. 

The Oilers finished at 32-over par with rounds of 297, 298, and 301. They edged out McKendree University by two strokes to make their first appearance in the NCAA Division II National Championship in the NCAA era. Joining the Oilers at the National Championship from the Midwest/Central region are Grand Valley State University, Central Missouri University, Arkansas Tech, the University of Indianapolis, and the University of Missouri- St. Louis. 

Leading the way for the Oilers was senior Parker Haynes who finished in a tie for eleventh. He carded rounds of 73, 72, and 75 (220) to finish at four-over par. Haynes played both the par threes and par fives at even-par for the week. His par four scoring came in at four-over par where he averaged 4.13. 

Senior standout Tanner Grzegorczyk finished in a tie for 19th after rounds of 72, 76, and 74 (222)  to come in at six-over par for the tournament. Grzegorczyk led the field in par four scoring, averaging 3.93 and playing them two-under par for the week. 

Sophomore Donnie Professori finished in a tie for 44th at eleven-over par. He carded rounds of 76, 75, and 76 (227). Finishing right behind Professori was senior Brock Kehres. Kehres finished in a tie for 51st at twelve-over par with rounds of 77, 75, and 76 (228). Rounding out the Oilers was sophomore Justin Atkinson who finished at 20-over par to finish in a tie for 84th. Atkinson shot rounds of 76, 83, and 77 (236). 

"It was a total team effort," said Findlay Head Coach, Dominic Guarnieri. "This is a testament to the time and effort they have put in. Not only the five men who traveled but all seventeen of them. It was a hard week on the course but they never stopped fighting. Coach Roth and I are so proud of them… we made history today!"  

This is the first trip to the NCAA Division II National Championship as the last time the Oilers made it to a national tournament it was the NAIA Golf Championship in 1999. In fact, on May 7, 2014 the University of Findlay women's golf team made the NCAA Division II National Championship for the first time… their regional was held at Purgatory Golf Club. 

The Oilers are now headed to Detroit, Mich. for the NCAA Division II National Championship which will be held at TPC Michigan on May 16-20.