Official GoPack.com Story On Hill's Title

GoPack.com link

As per usual, Tim Peeler does a great job fleshing out the details of the story. Some of the best quotes during Matt's remarkable run have come from Richard Sykes, golf coach at State who's seen quite a few tremendous golfers come through his doors over the years. To hear him speak about what Hill's done since March helps amplify just what an amazing accomplishment is:

“He played the way he has played all year long,” Sykes said. “Very consistent. He did not try shots he could not make. He did not get himself into trouble. When he had to make big shots, he made them.

“The only word I can think of to describe it all is ‘magical.’”

Hill becomes the second golfer in NCAA history to win his conference title, the NCAA regional title and the NCAA national title, all in one year. Tiger Woods did it first in 1996 while at Stanford*

For some further reading, Peeler (I guess he was bored?) compiled a rundown of all 29 individual national champions in State's history. It's an interesting read.

*Edited to correct Hill as second, not first, golfer to accomplish this feat.

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Calipari Leaving Yet Another Team In Shambles As He Walks Out The Door

Remember this entry from last year, where I spent way too many words wondering if hiring John Calipari at State would've been worth the risk or not?

I should'a just said "hell no" and been done with it.

View the complete entry of "Calipari Leaving Yet Another Team In Shambles As He Walks Out The Door"

ESPN.com, Golfweek.com Writeups On Hill's Title

ESPN.com article

"I didn't really want to know where I stood until I was coming down the stretch," he said. "It was a little bit nerve-racking on a few of the holes but as soon as I found out I had a two-shot lead it was maybe a little bit more comfortable. The bogey kind of made it a little tougher, and then I guess that birdie definitely helped on 8 when that putt snuck in there."

No one else was making a move. Stanley parred the last five holes. One group ahead, Hoge's lead had melted with bogeys at holes 5, 6 and 7. The last man standing was Hill.

He locked up the win with a two-putt par on his final hole, pumping his fist as the 3-footer fell into the cup.

"This whole season's been amazing," Hill said. "To win this is really icing on the cake and it's really special to me. I really worked really hard to get here."

Golfweek.com

Matt Hill smiled and enjoyed all the attention, the congratulations, and the interviews that go along with being the NCAA champion.

What the North Carolina State sophomore didn’t enjoy Thursday after his third round at the NCAA Championship was the feeling of receiving the trophy.

He’ll have to wait until Friday around noon for that. The reason being a 4 1/2-hour weather delay during Wednesday’s second round that didn’t allow Thursday’s third round to be completed.

...

With his home being about a three-hour drive to Toledo, Hill had a solid group of family and friends on hand to watch, including his parents, Bob and Barb, as well as aunts and uncles.

“I’m just ecstatic,” said his father, Bob. “He’s played great golf all spring, and then to finish it off in this grand finale is pretty special. He really toughed it out all week, and right now all of us are just going to enjoy it.”

View the complete entry of "ESPN.com, Golfweek.com Writeups On Hill's Title"

GolfWeek.com Chat With Hill Following Final Round

Continuing the all-out Matt Hill-athon, here's a link to Golfweek.com's NCAA page with a moderated chat Hill partook in just minutes following his final round. Just scroll down to the bottom half of the page for the replay of the CoverItLive chat.

(If you have a hard time finding it or getting it to load, here's a link to the RSS feed from the chat)

On a side note, doesn't Matt look like he's having a blast talking about his national title? Dude's grinning from here to Ontario.

Wouldn't you?

View the complete entry of "GolfWeek.com Chat With Hill Following Final Round"

It's Almost Official...

But for one lone golfer yet to tee off at even par (Steve Ziegler of Stanford), Matt Hill is your 2009 NCAA Golf Individual Champion!

First Darrion Caldwell, then Kristin Davies. Now you can (almost) add Matt Hill to the incredible list of THREE individual NCAA champions for the Wolfpack in the 2008-2009 calendar year!

Hill completed a very steady, very measured three-round journey by shooting 69-69-69 for a total of six-under 207. Other golfers had more spectacular rounds, but Hill carded only six bogeys to go along with an eagle, 10 birdies and a buttload of pars to (pretty much) take home the title.

Unbelievable. I'll have more tomorrow once Ziegler finishes his round, but he'd have to shoot a 6-under 65 just to tie Hill and force (I assume) a playoff.

Fan-freaking-tastic!

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