HARTSVILLE, S.C. – Junior Keith Egan (Newbridge, Ireland) has become just the fifth player to be selected to play in the NCAA Division II Tournament as an individual as announced on Friday, April 22 by that organization.
 
Egan is one of just 32 student-athletes competing as an individual nationwide and will play in the NCAA Division II South/Southeast Regional. While it is his first trip to the championships as an individual, and first by a Laker individual since 2010, it will not be unfamiliar surroundings.
 
A trip to Howey-in-the-Hills, Florida early in the spring portion of the schedule for the South/Southeastern Regional Preview (Feb. 29/Mar. 1) is paying dividends.
 
Designed to allow some of the top teams and individuals in the nation an advanced look at the site of the NCAA Regionals, that tournament featured 13 nationally ranked teams. That field included No. 1 St. Leo, No. 2 Chico State, No. 4 Nova Southeastern, No. 5 Florida Southern and No. 10 Lynn, among others.
 
Egan finished tied for 11^th in one of the toughest fields in the country and was the highest finisher from a non-ranked team.
 
"I'm grateful for the opportunity to represent Clayton State in the NCAA Regionals," said Egan "I look forward to competing and trying to progress to the national championship. I'm also thankful for coach's hard work and dedication in helping our team become better players throughout the entire season."
 
In order to be selected to play as an individual, a student-athlete must be from a team that did not qualify for the tournament and be one of the top four golfers in their region.
 
Egan is listed directly behind Brad Hawkins of Tusculum, who is the No. 1 player in the country, and is followed by Nick Adams of Mount Olive and Will Bundy of Coker out of the Southeast Region.
 
A combined field, it will also feature four golfers from the South Region. That group consists of Reed Lindsey (Delta State), Chris Rogers (Valdosta State), Gaelen Trew (Florida Tech) and Alex Clark (Delta State).
 
"I cannot begin to express how proud I am of Keith for making it to the NCAA Regional Championships as an individual," said head coach Hank Kim. "He is the perfect example of how a great attitude can bring excellent results. As the captain of my team, he has lead by example. Congratulations Keith! I'm your biggest fan."
 
Egan is the just the fifth Clayton State player to qualify as an individual and the first since Wade Binfield in 2010. He also joins Will Wilcox (2007), Matt Beall (2005) and Brennan Cass (2002) as Lakers who have accomplished that feat. Wilcox posted the highest finish at eighth in his appearance. Overall, this will be his second trip to the NCAA Tournament, having been a part of the 2014 team that qualified for the South/Southeast Regional.
 
Regionals will be held from May 2-4 at the Mission Inn Golf Club in Howey-in-the-Hills, Florida. While the top five teams will advance to the NCAA National Championships in Denver, Colorado, individuals have a far smaller field to beat to earn that trip.
 
The top two individuals, out of a field of eight, will advance to this year's championships hosted by Metro State from May 17-21 at Green Valley Ranch.
 
Clayton State Men's Golf Individual National Qualifiers
2010 (Wilson, N.C.)
Wade Binfield (T-66^th)
 
2007 (Savannah, Ga.)
Will Wilcox (8^th)
 
2005 (Columbus, Ga.)
Matt Beall (T-27^th)
 
2002 (Sneads Ferry, N.C.)
Brennan Cass (31^st)