Wittenbach Cards 75 To Start NCAA Tourney

Big Rapids, Mich. - Senior Kyle Wittenbach of the Ferris State University men's golf team opened action by shooting a three-over par 75 on Tuesday (May 15) in the opening round of the 2012 NCAA Division II Championships in Louisville, Ky.

An individual national qualifier for the Bulldogs, Wittenbach is currently tied for 59th overall in the field after day one with his three-over total.  The individual leader is Central Oklahoma's Josh Creel, who carded an impressive seven-under figure of 65 in the opening 18 holes of competition and holds a three-stroke lead.

The Division II Championships are being hosted in conjunction with the Division II Spring Championships Festival in Louisville at the Cardinal Club located in Simpsonville, Ky.  Action continues on Wednesday (May 16) with final round play set for Thursday (May 17) on the par 72 course measuring 7,036 yards.

Under the tournament format this season, the individual champion is determined after 54 holes on Thursday.  The top eight teams will then advance to match play set to be contested on Friday and Saturday.

Central Oklahoma currently leads the team race with a nine-under score of 279 on the heels of Creel's impressive round.  North Carolina-Pembroke is second at 285 followed by Western Washington at 287 overall.

The Division II Spring Championships Festival is being hosted by Bellarmine University and the Louisville Sports Commission.

Wittenbach earned his trip to the national championships be being one of the top two finishers not associated with a qualifying team at the 2012 NCAA-II Midwest/South Central Super Regional held May 7-9 in Jefferson City, Mo.

Wittenbach is the lone Bulldog player taking part in this year's NCAA-II Championships.