Cobras Set Their Eyes on Nationals

Hartsville, SC- Among all the teams selected to compete in this year's 2024 NCAA Division II Men's Golf Championship, Coker University has earned a spot after finishing second at the South/Southeast Regional tournament. This will be Coker's first appearance as a team at the NCAA Division II Men's Golf Championships since the 2005-06 season. Coker University's men's golf team has had a successful season. Led by players Caleb Tidd, Jonathan Hallinger, Killian Ryan, Aaron Teece, and Derek McGlaughlin, the team has shown consistency and skill throughout the year.

With a national ranking of #18 and a regional ranking of #7, the team's performance has been impressive. Their scoring average of 286.0 and a total of 33 rounds played have contributed to their success. The team has achieved three top-3 finishes and a total of 119 wins in stroke play events.

In their most recent events, the team finished 2nd in the NCAA DII South/Southeast Regional and the 2024 SAC Men's Golf Championship, showcasing their talent and determination as they defeated multiple nationally ranked teams in both championships. With a total of 436.55 weighted points and an average of 39.69 weighted points per event, the team is poised to make a strong showing at the National Championship.

Caleb Tidd, a fourth-year golfer at Coker University, has had an impressive performance in the NCAA Division II Southeast region. With a scoring average of 71.4 and a total of 33 rounds played, Tidd has secured one win and two top 3 finishes. Tidd's consistent performance has earned him a national ranking of #58 and a regional ranking of #23. With a weighted average of 29.12 points, Tidd continues to showcase his talent and skill on the golf course.

Jonathan Hallinger is a talented golfer from Coker University, currently in his fourth year of competition. With an impressive scoring average of 71.2, Hallinger has secured one win and two top-three finishes in his career. His performance has earned him a national ranking of #71 and a regional ranking of #24 in NCAA Division II. With a strong track record of success in stroke play events, Hallinger continues to showcase his skills on the golf course and make a name for himself in collegiate golf.

Killian Ryan, a fifth-year golfer at Coker University, has had an impressive performance in the NCAA Division II Southeast region. With a scoring average of 71.9 and a total of 30 rounds played, Ryan has shown consistency and skill on the golf course. Ryan's recent performance at the NCAA DII South/Southeast Regional, where he finished 4th out of 110 players, demonstrates his potential and talent in the sport. As he continues to compete and improve, Ryan is sure to make a name for himself in the world of collegiate golf.

Aaron Teece has had a solid performance in the NCAA Division II Southeast region.  In the most recent NCAA DII South/Southeast Regional, Teece finished 32nd out of 110 competitors with a total of 19.94 weighted points. He has also participated in various other tournaments such as the SAC Men's Golf Championship, the Argonaut Invitational, and the Tennessee River Rumble, demonstrating his dedication to the sport and his team. 

Derek McGlaughlin, a third-year golfer at Coker University, has shown consistent performance throughout his collegiate career. With a scoring average of 72.8 and a total of 33 rounds played, McGlaughlin has displayed his skills on the course. In the SAC Men's Golf Championship and the NCAA DII South/Southeast Regional Derek was able to showcase his dedication and talent as he helped the Cobras defeat multiple powerhouse schools. 

Coach Hackney had this to say ahead of next week's National Championships:

"We have played some really consistent golf and broken a lot of records along the way this season, and now we have a chance to do something special that has never been done before in Coker history: win a Nationals Championship. This is a wonderful opportunity and we plan to make the most of it!"

The Coker men's golf team's hard work and dedication have paid off, earning them a spot among the top teams in the nation. With their sights set on the National Championship, the team is ready to compete at the highest level and proudly represent their university.