MUSCLE SHOALS, Ala. (May 20, 2018) – Coming off a second-place finish at the 2018 NCAA Division II Atlantic/East Regional, the Franklin Pierce University men's golf team earned an automatic bid to the National Championships hosted by the University of North Alabama and the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at The Shoals.

SCOUTING THE RAVENS

This season, Pierce captured four top-three finishes including a tournament victory in the fall season at the Saint Rose Fall Shootout (588, +20) and a second-place showing at the 83rd annual New England Intercollegiate Golf Association (NEIGA) Championship (605, +29). In the Northeast-10 Conference Championship, FPU was tied for third place following the opening 18 holes but dropped to sixth place on day two (608, +48). At regionals, the Crimson and Grey never dropped lower than second-place as they headed into the third day of regional play atop the team leaderboard. FPU finished the three rounds of golf at 890 (+26) and lost out to Roberts Wesleyan College by only one stroke for the regional championship. The Ravens led the field of 20 programs in par 4 scoring averaging 4.13 (+20). The next closest program, St. Thomas Aquinas College averaged 4.22 and was 33 over. The Ravens were also tied for third in total birdies (36) and tied for second in eagles (3).

HOW THE RAVENS LINEUP

Franklin Pierce heads to Alabama and the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at The Shoals, a par 72, 7,407-yard course with the following five-golfer lineup. All tee times are in central time.

1. Keeton Foster (Spofford, N.H.) – Tee Times: 5/21: 1st Tee, 1:39 p.m., 5/22: 10th Tee, 9:10 a.m., 5/23: TBD

Foster, an All-NE10 Second Team choice last year will golf from the number one spot. This season he tallied three top-10 finishes including two runner-ups at the season-opening FPU Fall Invitational (147, +3) and the Saint Rose Fall Shootout (145, +3). Foster added two 11th place performances while also chipping in a tie for 12th and 13th. The sophomore's best round of the campaign came during the second day of the FPU Fall Invitational when he shot a 71 (-1). He scored a 225 (+9) across the three days of regional action totaling a team-low 72 (E) on Tuesday including an 80-foot eagle putt on the fifth green.

2. Sam Myers (Colchester, Vt.) – Tee Times: 5/21: 1st Tee, 1:28 p.m., 5/22: 10th Tee, 8:59 a.m., 5/23: TBD

Myers was a one-time NE10 Golfer of the Week during the fall season. He earned that honor by taking home first place at the Saint Rose Fall Shootout after dumping in a 144 (+2) total. The win at Saint Rose was Myers only top-three finish this year as his 70 (-1) round one scorecard was his lowest of the season. Just a few weeks ago, Myers tied for eighth place at the Penmen Spring Invitational (149, +5). At regionals, Myers tied for ninth place overall at 220 (+4) while the sophomore shot a team-low 70 (-2) Monday to go along with 13 total birdies, the second most in the field of golfers.

3. Dylan Plis (Camillus, N.Y.) – Tee Times: 5/21: 1st Tee, 1:17 p.m., 5/22: 10th Tee, 8:48 a.m., 5/23: TBD

Plis was a three-time NE10 Rookie of the Week and notched All-New England Honors by placing second (144, E) at the 83rd Annual NEIGA Championship. Plis shot a consistent 72 both rounds as the freshman tallied his only top-two finish of the season. He recorded two other top-10 performances this season in the fall at the FPU Fall Invitational (T4th, 149, +5) and the Saint Rose Fall Shootout (T9th, 149, +7). Plis shot a season-low 70 (+1) during the opening round of the Penmen Fall Invitational. In his first ever regional tournament, Plis concluded play at 228 (+12) in West Virginia and knocked off five strokes from his Tuesday card to complete his 18 Wednesday at 75 (+3).

4. Liam Donohue (Vernon, Conn.) – Tee Times: 5/21: 1st Tee, 1:06 p.m., 5/22: 10th Tee, 8:37 a.m., 5/23: TBD

Donohue had one of his best collegiate performances in the final tune-up before Regional play. A few weeks ago at the Penmen Spring Invitational, Donohue tied for second place at 143 (-1). He was even (72) through his first 18 holes, but shot a season-best one under par (71) over his final holes. Donohue also finished in a tie for 12th at the FPU Fall Invitational (152, +9) and a tie for 13th at the Dr. Edwin B. Cottrell Invitational (154, +14). Donohue improved every round for FPU at the regionals. Monday and Tuesday, the sophomore struggled on the back nine, but he conquered the final holes when it counted Wednesday as he buried a long eagle putt on the 12th hole, a par 5 501-yard challenge. Donohue tallied an 81 (+9) Monday, a 77 (+5) Tuesday and a 75 (+3), Wednesday all adding up to 223 (+17).

5. Taylor Simpson (Londonderry, N.H.) – Tee Times: 5/21: 1st Tee, 12:55 p.m., 5/22: 10th Tee, 8:26 a.m., 5/23: TBD

Simpson makes the trip to Daniels for the second straight year after appearing in only four tournaments this season with three coming in the fall. At the 83rd Annual NEIGA Championship, Simpson finished 20th at 155 (+11). At the Penmen Spring Invitational, the senior tied for 21st (155, +11) after putting home a season-low 75 (+3) final round score. Simpson along with Myers carried the Ravens with top-15 finishes at regionals. He was a consistent presence from the number five spot tying for 12th place with a 221 (+5) scorecard. The senior led the Ravens across the final round Wednesday at 73 (+1) and had a key approach shot from the 17th tee, a par 3 hole, which set up a clutch birdie, a few inches from the cup.

HEADING TO THE TOURNAMENT?

If you are planning on heading to the championship here are some useful links…

ROBERT TRENT JONES GOLF TRAIL AT THE SHOALS | FIGHTING JOE COURSE TOUR | MUSCLE SHOALS, ALA. WEATHER

HOW TO FOLLOW ALONG?

Can't make it to Alabama? The NCAA has provided live results, which can be accessed here.

For more information on Franklin Pierce Athletics, please visit the official website of Franklin Pierce Athletics (http://athletics.franklinpierce.edu). Also be sure to follow the Ravens through the Department of Athletics' official Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/FranklinPierceRavens), its YouTube channel (http://www.youtube.com/franklinpiercesports) and its Twitter feed (http://twitter.com/FPUathletics). Fans wishing to purchase Franklin Pierce golf apparel can do so at the Department of Athletics' online store (http://athletics.franklinpierce.edu/store). You can also follow the golf programs on Twitter (https://twitter.com/FPU_GOLF).