The NCAA News - News and Features

The NCAA News -- October 12, 1998

Division I -- Qualifying delayed in men's golf

A Division I Men's Golf Committee request regarding automatic qualification for the 1999 regional tournaments has been delayed.

The committee had proposed to the Division I Championships/Competition Cabinet in September that all playing conferences be granted automatic qualification to the 1999 regionals and that the number of teams selected to participate in the regionals be increased to 81 teams and 18 individuals.

Because the request would involve bracket expansion, the cabinet deferred action until its February meeting when it deals with bracket-expansion issues. If approved, the proposal would still be effective for the 1999 Division I Men's Golf Championships.

The current total allocations for the three Division I men's golf regionals are 62 teams and 14 individuals for a total of 324 participants. Under the committee's proposal, approximately 30 conferences would be eligible for automatic qualification. The expansion would result in 423 total participants, or an increase of 99 participants.

The number of teams and individuals advancing to the finals would remain the same. The committee believes that by providing automatic qualification and increasing regional participation, it will enhance programs, strengthen conference play and provide more opportunities for weaker golf programs.

The recommendation would not increase the NCAA cost for administering the regionals since travel expenses are funded by the participating institutions.