After one semester as an official NCCGA Region, the Texas Region has doubled in size for the start of the Fall 2013 Season. As our players prepare to tee it up on Saturday and Sunday at Waterchase GC, the pressure builds for the 8 teams competing for a regional tournament victory.
The Texas Region of the NCCGA is very competitive, boasting 3 top-25 teams in the Spring of 2013. Here are my predictions for the semester.
Favorites:
Texas A & M- The Aggies won the Texas Region in Spring 2013, finishing 9th in the National Championship at the Purdue Kampen Course. They return 2nd Team All American Cav Neutze, Spring Regional #2 Champ Anthony Skyro, and two-time All-Tournament Team finisher Joseph Nall.
SMU- The Mustangs earned a Wild Card spot in the Spring 2013 National Championship. They return three starters from last season, led by team president James Stafford.
Baylor- The Baylor Bears finished 3rd in both tournaments last semester, but ranked 18th in the nation. They return 4 starters from last season, but bolstered their lineup with Texas 5A Team State Champ Chris Reina (The Woodlands HS).
TCU- The Horned Frogs finished 4th in the region last semester, but they have recruited well. TCU brings 2 very strong teams to the first regional tournament.
Newcomers:
Oklahoma St.- Oklahoma St. is the clear favorite amongst the new teams in the Texas Region. Their varsity team is known for great golf, so their club team hopes to translate that success. They are the only new team that brings a full, 8-man roster to the first tournament.
Texas-Austin, Houston, and UT-Tyler- All three of these teams have the potential to compete and win the Texas region. With year round golf weather at all of these schools, their players will be ready to give it their all.
On September 21-22 at Waterchase GC in Arlington, TX , 64 players will tee it up and begin “The Road to Myrtle Beach.” The competition is certainly heating up in the Texas Region of the NCCGA.