Sports Information photo: The men’s golf team is having its best season in history, en route to an NCAA tournament birthMercyhurst’s men’s golf team is having one of the best seasons in history. The team’s continued hard work and competition since September proved successful with their last tournament at the IUP invitational.

The men secured a fifth-place finish, earning a selection to the regional competition at the NCAA Division II Golf Championship at the Hershey Links Golf Course in Hummelstown.

This success stemmed from a pair of back-to-back victories. In the 2009-10 season, Tyler Bidwell became the first Mercyhurst golfer to qualify for the regional competition since Dave Hewett in 1987. Hewett is now an assistant coach for the men’s golf team.

Senior Brian Corbitt has greatly contributed to the team’s success this season, both with his leadership and consistent improvement on the course.

“My career here at Mercyhurst has been great,” said Corbitt, “I am glad that we made it to regionals again.”

Corbitt talked about how the team earning a No. 10 seed in the tournament was a big achievement.

“We are a young team, which makes this such an important accomplishment.” Corbitt said, “It is so perfect this is happening in my senior year. It feels great to go out on a high note.

“If people saw us at the beginning of the season, they would never have said we would make it to where we are now.”

The regional tournament concludes Wednesday, MAy 4, and as of May 3, Mercyhurst sat in 16th place, after shooting an 11 under par in the second round for a two round score of 43 over par.

Sophomore Jake Pilarski has a team-high 6 over par after 36 holes of play. Freshman Evan Watkins shot a team best 72 in the second round, and 9 over par overall.

If the Mercyhurst men secure at least a top-five finish, they will then qualify for the NCAA Division II National Championship tournament in Florence, Ala.