Blue Raiders eye automatic bid into NCAA golf regional

Monday, April 17

Port St. Lucie, FL

8:00 AM

Middle Tennessee

Sun Belt Championships

Photo by: MT

4/16/2006 12:42:00 PM | Men's Golf

By: MT Media Relations

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - Middle Tennessee Head Coach Johnny Moore used his best motivational tactic during last week's practices in preparing his Blue Raiders for the Sun Belt Conference Championships, which begins at the PGA Village Monday. He dangled a carrot in front of his players and told them what they were playing for ... figuratively, at least. Moore didn't actually go shopping and buy carrots but he did get his point across. "I think our team will be ready to play," Moore said. "They realize the carrot dangling in front of us is a chance to go to the NCAA Tournament, and it's the only chance they have. They have three days to go out and play like gangbusters and see what happens. We have the ability to contend for the championship, and we are excited about this opportunity." After starting the spring season on a high note the Blue Raiders hit a bit of a snag the previous two weeks at Arkansas-Little Rock and Arkansas State, respectively; however, Middle Tennessee players say their confidence isn't lacking as they prepare to tackle the tough course that is the PGA Village. "We know what we are capable of doing," said sophomore Nick Bailes, who leads the Blue Raiders with a 73.5 average. "We have played well at some tough tournaments so we know we can do it. We have had some good practices this week and we are looking forward to the opportunity that lies ahead. It's a tough course and the field will be tough, but we have as good a shot as any other team if we put it all together." Middle Tennessee's five-player contingent includes Bailes, senior Josh Nelms, junior Spencer Provow, and the freshmen duo of Rick Cochran and Chas Narramore. Of the five, only Bailes and Nelms have played in a conference championship. "As a group, they have a lot of confidence, especially the freshmen," Moore said. "They think they can beat anybody. If Provow and Nelms play well the other guys are going to pick up their part. Denver is the highest-ranked team and they are supposed to win it but we don't know that and we are going in with that attitude." South Alabama is the defending champion after edging Louisiana-Lafayette by one shot on the final hole to finish with a 13-over-par on the 6,968-yard par-72 course. Showing the depth of the league, five different teams have won at least one team title this year and six SBC golfers boast a scoring average under 73. Bailes (73.55) and Provow (73.7) have been the Blue Raiders' most consistent performers this season and lead the pack. The tournament begins Monday and concludes Wednesday afternoon.