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PROVO, Utah - BYU men's golf capped off a strong 2012-13 campaign returning to the NCAA regionals for the first time in three years.
Led by senior Zac Blair, the Cougars remained competitive throughout the season winning two tournaments and finishing 10 of 13 tournaments in the top five. BYU found its groove during the spring, finishing seven straight tournaments in the top three, before concluding their season with an eighth-place finish at the NCAA Pullman Regional.
Finishing as a runner-up in two tournaments earlier in the season, BYU shot a 54-hole total 838 (-14) to win the Desert Shootout by 10 strokes, and recorded an 832 (-32) team total at the PING Cougar Classic to cruise to a 17-stroke victory. Three Cougars also earned medalist honors at four different tournaments during the season. Zac Blair won two tournaments, his most tournament victories in one season, carding a 15-under 198 at the Desert Shootout and 14-under 202 at the PING Cougar Classic. The senior led the team with a 70.98 scoring average, the 15th best average score in the nation and finished 11 tournaments in the top 20.
Following the West Coast Conference Golf Championships, Blair was recognized as the WCC Men's Co-Player of the Year along with being named to the 2013 All-WCC Men's Golf Team. Over the course of his BYU career, Blair competed in 49 tournaments finishing 31 in the top 20, won four tournaments and accumulated a 71.44 scoring average.
Junior Justin Keiley won the individual title at the Triumph at Pauma Valley shooting a one-under 212 for his first career collegiate win. The Hawaii native finished the season with a 72.61 average score and eight top-20 finishes, doubling his previous season's total. Keiley was also named to the 2013 All-WCC Men's Golf Team.
Finishing with a 19-under 197, sophomore Devon Purser recorded his first collegiate victory at the SCVB Pacific Invitational. The Clearfield native competed in all 13 tournaments and concluded the season with a 73.34 scoring average.
Freshman Joe Parkinson provided a solid boost for the Cougars throughout spring tournament play. The Alpine freshman competed in all eight spring tournaments and accumulated a 72.83 scoring average, finishing five tournaments in the top 20. Parkinson shot a collegiate career best 65 during the second round of the PING Cougar Classic and finished the tournament tied for second place, carding a 13-under 203.
Junior Jordan Hammer was named to the WCC Men's Golf All-Academic team for the second straight year. Having competed in 10 tournaments, Hammer concluded the season with a 74.17 scoring average and two top-20 finishes.
BYU finished tied for third at the WCC Championships and in eighth place at the NCAA Pullman Regional. Building upon this year's experience, the Cougars will look to contend for a league title and advance to the NCAA Golf Championships finals in the upcoming season.
