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Date Posted: 12:29:21 05/28/02 Tue
Author: Jon Ralston
Subject: Tiger Golf qualifies for NCAA Championships

Originally Published Tuesday, May 28, 2002
Confidence is high when Tiger needs it

By Bob Highfill

Record Staff Writer

Ben Scribner played the tournament of his collegiate career when his team needed it most.

Scribner's 3-under-par 69 on the second day and his three-round total of 1-under 215 helped University of the Pacific finish sixth at the NCAA West Regional on May 18 and earn a spot in the NCAA Championships for the second consecutive year.

''I was actually very confident going into the regional,'' said Scribner, who tied for fourth with teammate Matt Hansen at the Championship Course at the University of New Mexico. ''That was the best tournament of my career. I guess I picked a good time to have it.''

Scribner's confidence was boosted when he and senior Jason Higton placed fourth at the NCGA Four-Ball event the previous week at Spyglass Hill Golf Course in Pebble Beach.

''I played very well at Spyglass,'' said Scribner, who usually is fourth or fifth on the Tigers depth chart. ''I knew I was playing well. I wasn't really thinking about the outcome (at the regional). I didn't have any worries. I was just going to play.''

Scribner hopes to do the same in the NCAA Championships, which run Wednesday through Saturday at the hallowed Scarlet Course at Ohio State, where Jack Nicklaus played collegiately.

''If you go out and play and trust your game is going to come through, it usually works out,'' Scribner said. ''It's a lot easier to play without expectations.''

Scribner's previous best was a tie for 18th at the Big West Championships on April 22-23 at Serrano Country Club in El Dorado Hills. He had yet to show his true game against quality competition.

''It's been very frustrating,'' said Scribner, a junior. ''I know I've got the game to be a very good golfer. I just have to trust that I know I'm a very good golfer. I just haven't had the confidence on the course to shoot good scores. I wanted to come in this year and shoot better and help more, but this is hopefully a good start not only for this year but for next year.''

Higton, the Big West player of the year, placed 107th at the regional. His uncharacteristic performance, plus Troy McKinley's absence because of personal problems, made Scribner's contribution that much more valuable. But, as Tigers first-year head coach Jason Preeo said, different players have stepped up throughout the season.

''At some point this year someone has stepped up and come through,'' Preeo said. ''They're all really competitive, and they push each other all the time, even in practice. That gets them used to playing in pressure situations, like the regionals.''

The Tigers faced big-time pressure late in the final round of the regional. With two holes to go, Preeo calculated his five players would have to score 2-under collectively to qualify. Scribner, Higton, Hansen, Tom O'Stasik and Matt Kern responded with eight birdies and the Tigers made it with strokes to spare.

''When your back's against the wall, you have to be in that position a few times to respond the way they did,'' Preeo said.

Hansen, Higton and O'Stasik played the Scarlet Course in late September at the Ping-Golfweek Preview Invitational. The Tigers finished last among 15 teams, but Hansen hopes familiarity breeds success this time.

''The course is pretty long,'' said Hansen, who hasn't finished lower than 11th in his last four tournaments. ''They had some pretty ridiculous pin placements at The Preview. They can't make it too unfair this time because the NCAA will be running the tournament. The course will fit me well. I hit the ball pretty long and it will be to my advantage to hit shorter clubs into longer holes. It's fairly tight. You have to think your way around the golf course.''

* To reach reporter Bob Highfill, phone 546-8299 or e-mail bhighfil@recordnet.com

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