Everett of Augusta wins individual title
STILLWATER — It took a playoff hole, but Augusta’s Broc Everett won the NCAA individual championship Monday.
Everett defeated Auburn's Brandon Mancheno with a birdie on the 18th hole. He had a chance to do it on his 72nd hole, but the birdie putt slid past and he wasn’t able to finish in regulation.
Augusta will take back another championship trophy from Karsten Creek Golf Club. In 2011, Augusta State, as it was called then, won the NCAA title after defeating Georgia in the championship match. It also defeated Oklahoma State in match play.
Everett’s win was the first of his career, and he became the first NCAA individual champion from Iowa.
Here’s what Everett had to say about the win and Karsten Creek.
The Oklahoman: What are your thoughts on the course?
Everett: It’s a course that’s very visually intimidating, and it can really get in people’s head because there is so much brush and so many tall grasses that if you hit a really poor tee shot, you’re in trouble. There really is a lot of room out there, basically 65-70 yards from tree line to tree line on every hole minus No. 17 and maybe No. 10. You just have to get it in your head that you just have to hit a decent shot. You don’t even have to hit great drives, you just have to hit decent shots in the middle of the fairway and keep it between the trees. The greens are also very difficult.
How are you feeling heading to the future?
I’m playing the Canadian Tour this summer. Going into that, there’s a ton of positive vibes, really my whole career going forward. I knew I was playing good up to this point, a month of really good golf these last few weeks. Not too many rounds over par, obviously. I knew, just keep trucking along, just keep staying consistent and don’t get too aggressive on a course like this. I can’t describe the feeling where I’m at.
How much has your game changed from your freshman year?
I’m sure coach could also answer this, but when I first got to school, coach came in that first semester my freshman year. I was redshirting that year, and I know that the women’s coach at the time because we didn’t have a head coach, she was like, ‘Yea, he might not be the guy you keep around for another year.’ Fortunately, I was able to have a decent spring and put up some decent scores. He saw that I worked hard every day and didn’t settle for staying the same way. I was always trying to progress and keep getting better. Coach gave me the opportunity to stick around. I just kept growing every single year.