FINDLAY, Ohio – The UIndy men's golf team captured the 2018 NCAA Division II Midwest/Central Regional in comeback fashion Wednesday. After trailing by six strokes through the opening 18 holes, the Greyhounds (287-289-288) eventually caught and passed Tiffin to take its first NCAA regional crown in 10 years. The three-day, 20-team tournament was held at Findlay Country Club in Findlay, Ohio.
 
The Hounds entered the final round just one back of the lead but went on to earn a four-stroke win. UIndy held off the charging Dragons as top guns Graham McAree and Erik Edwards combined to shoot three-under over the final five holes, while freshman Oliver Mast finished his round with 13 consecutive pars.
 
"I am so proud of this effort," exclaimed Head Coach Brent Nicoson after the victory. "It was a true team win. Everyone stepped up when we needed them this week!"
 
Greyhounds will now be one of just 20 teams at the upcoming NCAA DII Championships, set for May 21-25 in Muscle Shoals, Ala. Midwest/Central competitors Tiffin, Missouri-St. Louis, Southeastern Oklahoma State and Arkansas Tech will join the Hounds at nationals.
 
Edwards was clutch throughout the tournament but especially Wednesday. The sophomore out of Louisville, Ky., fired a four-under 68 over the final 18 holes to finish at -5 for the tournament and take runner-up honors.
 
"Erik had a great week of preparation and it showed this week," Nicoson said. "He's had a great spring for us."
 
Mast had arguably the most consistent round Wednesday, finishing at even par for the day. Fellow-freshman Ian Carroll shot three-under on the front before closing the day with a score of 70, good for his best round of the tournament.
 
Added Nicoson: "I can't say enough about the great effort of our freshmen during this postseason. Ian and Oliver grew a lot as players this week."
 
Senior Graham McAree finished at +2 for the event, bolstered by a second-round 68. Though he struggled in the middle of the round Wednesday, the GLVC Player of the Year still earned a spot in the top 20 by tying for 18th among the field of 108.
 
Sophomore Spencer Klimek rounded out the team scoring at +17 (73-75-85).
 
The last time the Hounds won a regional championship was back in 2008 – Nicoson's second year as the UIndy head man. That championships also took place in Findlay, though it happened down the road at Red Hawk Run Golf Course.
 
The veteran head coach had one more thing to add that summed up the Hounds' recent success: "What a great couple of weeks; a GLVC title, an NCAA Super-Regional title and now a chance at a national championship! I'm so excited for our guys!

TUESDAY
Senior Graham McAree led a second-round charge that has the UIndy men's golf team just one stroke back of the lead at the 2018 NCAA Division II Midwest/Central Regional. The Greyhounds carded a one-over 289 Tuesday to make up five shots on leader Tiffin and enter the final round facing to slimmest of margins.
 
After being announced as the GLVC Men's Golf Player of the Year earlier in the day, McAree finished the round with a stellar four-under 68, moving him to -4 for the tournament and into a share of second. The only name above him is that of Ryan Harris, as the Bellarmine Knight has gone 68-70 to lead the field at -6.
 
Sophomore Erik Edwards kept up his top-10 pace, carding an even-par 72 to share ninth place. Oliver Mast finished the second round with a 74 to dip to 22nd, Spencer Klimek is tied for 47th and Ian Carroll sits in 75th.
 
Only five of the 20 teams at the Midwest/Central Regional, as well as two players not with those teams, will advance to the NCAA Men's Golf Championships, set for May 21-25 in Muscle Shoals, Ala. The Hounds are currently one stroke back of the lead, three shots ahead of third place and seven strokes clear of sixth.

MONDAY
The UIndy men's golf team used a solid performance Monday to settle in second place after the first round of the 2018 NCAA Division II Midwest/Central Regional. The Greyhounds finished day one of three at -1 (287) to enter the clubhouse six shots back of leader Tiffin (281).
 
Three Hounds shot par or better in the opening round. Sophomore Erik Edwards and freshman Oliver Mast led the way, as both carded 71s to share ninth place. Senior Graham McAree started the day with an eagle on hole No. 1 before finishing at even par to tie for 16th.
 
Sophomore Spencer Klimek (73) is tied for 22nd, while freshman Ian Carroll (76) sits in 66th among the 108-man field.