A season and a team to remember

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247sports.com

A season and a team to remember as Auburn mens golf brings home a championship

Jason Caldwell

6–8 minutes

The Auburn men's golf team will go down as one of the best in school history.

The night before his team was scheduled to play Florida State for the national championship, Auburn men's golf coach Nick Clinard had one message for his No. 1 Tigers. This was the moment they signed up for. Now, go win it.

Recruiting players that wanted to not be just good or great, but elite, Clinard put that type of roster together this year and the Tigers finished off one of the best seasons in the history of college golf by beating the Seminoles in the finals of match play to win the first national title in program history.

Beating Florida State to finish off a run that started with wins over Virginia and Ohio State on Tuesday, Auburn wrapped up its 10th victory of the season. Clinard's Tigers finished the season with a record of 182-9-1 in 16 events this season. That means in 16 tournaments, only nine teams finished ahead of them this year. Five of those nine came in stroke play this week at the NCAA Tournament where Auburn finished sixth before storming through match play to win the championship.

"It's about the culture," Clinard said. "That locker room. The connectivity and vision. They have a shared vision and that equals a greater purpose. They are so connected. They hang out together. They practice together. They challenge each other. The push each other. They inspire each other. I can't be more proud of these guys than I am right now."

While senior JM Butler was the anchor and one of the leaders for this team and came through with the clinching points for the Tigers, there are plenty of stories for this team. 

Senior Alex Vogelsong, who took on the role of coach and supporter down the stretch, was a key component for this team and helped build the program to the point it is today with his play over the years.

Carson Bacha has been a steady piece for the Tigers since arriving on campus and Brendan Valdes continues to shine bright as one of the best players in the country, something he showed on Wednesday. True freshman Josiah Gilbert emerged late in the season and played some big golf for the Tigers down the stretch.

But it's hard to talk about this team and season without putting Jackson Koivun at the top of the list. The NCAA Championships only cemented one of the greatest seasons ever for an Auburn athlete. This will go down alongside Cam Newton's 2010, names like Brett Hawke and Maggie Bowen in swimming, Tim Hudson's 1997 in baseball and many others as a season to remember for an Auburn athlete.

Winning both the SEC Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year, Koivun also won the Ben Hogan Award and Haskins Award as the college golfer of the year and was named a First-Team All-American along with Valdes. How do you make a clean sweep on every major award you can win? By doing what Koivun did this season.

Finishing with an adjusted scoring average of 67.3, the Chapel Hill, North Carolina native was almost unbeatable this season on the course.

Winning both the SEC individual championship as well as the Wake Forest Invitational at Pinehurst No. 2, the site of this year's U.S. Open, Koivun finished in the Top 10 in 12 of 13 stroke play events this season. In match play he was a perfect 8-0 this season to put the finishing touches on a year to remember.

"Unbelievable, 10 wins," Clinard said. "I told them before we got here that if they won this tournament they would go down as one of the best college golf teams in the history of college golf. I think we've accomplished that today."

#PMARSHONAU: Auburn golfers climb the highest mountain

Tigers earn the first national championship in program history

For all their days, the young men who played for Auburn on Wednesday will remember May 29, 2024. It was the day they won the program's first national championship. They might win others, but there will never be another first one.

It wasn't easy, but the No. 1 Tigers outdueled No. 6 Florida State. J.M. Butler. with ice water in his veins, wasn't going to have it any other way. In match play, from the quarterfinals through the final, Butler did not trail in a match. That's why Auburn coach Nick Clinard had him in the anchor spot, the final twosome.

On the 12th hole, Butler broke a tie to take a one-shot lead. He went up by two on the 15th hole and took it home as his teammates cheered him on.

Auburn won it 3-2. All-Americans Jackson Koviun and Brendan Valdes dominated their opponents. Carson Bacha's fierce comeback came up one shot short. Josiah Gilbert cut a four-shot deficit to two but could get no closer.

So it was that it came down to a head-to-head match between Butler and Florida State's Luke Clanton.

No test is greater for an athlete than how he (or she) performs when it matters most. Butler was up to the challenge, refusing to give in to the immense pressure that had to come from having his team's hopes and dreams on his shoulders alone.

I watched more golf in the past three days than I had probably watched in the last three years. The pro game doesn't excite me. The team aspect makes the college game different. Golfers aren't playing just for themselves. They aren't playing for a windfall payday. They are playing for their teammates, for their school, for their families.

The climb to the top is always hard. But those who have been there tell me it brings indescribable joy. Joy that is earned, not given. There is no selection committee. Nobody votes. In the regular-season, in the SEC Tournament, in the regionals and in the NCAA Championship, The Tigers took on the best in the college game and emerged triumphant.

Since Nick Clinard left Central Florida for Auburn in 2009, he has had the Tigers knocking on the door. Now, they have broken it down.

Clinard joined an exclusive club as a national championship coach, but when it was over, he wanted to talk about the young men who got it done. That is his way, and is one of the reasons his players love playing for him.

And they might be just getting started.

Koivun, the most decorated player in the game this season, is a freshman. Valdes, also an All-American, is a junior. Butler, who closed it out Wednesday, is the team's only senior.

 These are the best of times for those who set high goals and reached them in high style.

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auburntigers.com

 

NATIONAL CHAMPS! No. 1 Auburn beats Florida State 3-2 to win men's golf title

Auburn University Athletics

5–6 minutes

---

CARLSBAD, Calif. – The job, at last, is finished.

Throughout No. 1 Auburn's march to the program's first national championship, head coach Nick Clinard reminded his team and its followers after each step that the assignment remained incomplete. There was more to be done and more to be won.

On Wednesday at the Omni La Costa Champions Course in the California hills between San Diego and Los Angeles, the Tigers completed their task, defeating No. 6 Florida State 3-2 to win the 2024 NCAA Championship. 

"I've got a great group of young men. We've got six of the best players in the country," Clinard said. "We've got great leadership with Alex Vogelsong. They went out there today and got the job done."

Senior J.M. Butler clinched the match for the Tigers with a par putt on 17 to win 2 & 1.

"Glad we could get it done," Butler said. "I knew we had it in us, all we had to do was go out there and do it and we did. My trust and my confidence were key in me winning today, combined with all the hours of hard work."

"Phenomenal golf," Clinard said of Butler's clutch play from the anchor position. "He hit two clutch shots on 17, a beautiful 3-wood off the tee and a 9-iron that never left the flag and that sealed the victory."

Jackson Koivun chipped in on No. 14 to win his match 5 & 4 to record Auburn's first point.

"I was just happy to be part of it," said Koivun, holding his championship trophy. "I was just trying to make up and down and was lucky enough to hit the flag and go in. It's been a whirlwind of emotions. There's a lot of awards I've collected but this one right here is definitely the biggest one."

Brendan Valdes won his match 4 & 3. 

"It means everything," Valdes said. "To get it for guys like J.M. and Vogey, it means the world to see the smile on their faces."

The best season in program history featured Auburn's fifth SEC championship, a second consecutive NCAA Regional title, and Koivun, the freshman phenom, claiming both the Ben Hogan Award and Fred Haskins Award, college golf's highest individual honors. 

At long last, after 10 tournament wins including seven straight victories to end the season standing triumphant atop the sport's biggest stage, the job is finished.

Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: @jeff_shearer 

Players Mentioned

J.M. Butler

6' 3" Senior

Brendan Valdes

6' 0" Junior

Alex Vogelsong

6' 0" Fifth Year

Jackson Koivun

5' 10" Freshman

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waaytv.com

No. 1 Auburn beats Florida State 3-2 to win national championship

Auburn Athletics

3–4 minutes

CARLSBAD, Calif. – The job, at last, is finished.

Throughout No. 1 Auburn’s march to the program’s first national championship, head coach Nick Clinard reminded his team and its followers after each step that the assignment remained incomplete. There was more to be done and more to be won.

On Wednesday at the Omni La Costa Champions Course in the California hills between San Diego and Los Angeles, the Tigers completed their task, defeating No. 6 Florida State 3-2 to win the 2024 NCAA Championship.

“I’ve got a great group of young men. We’ve got six of the best players in the country,” Clinard said. “We’ve got great leadership with Alex Vogelsong. They went out there today and got the job done.”

Senior J.M. Butler clinched the match for the Tigers with a par putt on 17 to win 2 & 1.

“Glad we could get it done,” Butler said. “I knew we had it in us, all we had to do was go out there and do it and we did. My trust and my confidence were key in me winning today, combined with all the hours of hard work.”

“Phenomenal golf,” Clinard said of Butler’s clutch play from the anchor position. “He hit two clutch shots on 17, a beautiful 3-wood off the tee and a 9-iron that never left the flag and that sealed the victory.”

Jackson Koivun chipped in on No. 14 to win his match 5 & 4 to record Auburn’s first point.

“I was just happy to be part of it,” said Koivun, holding his championship trophy. “I was just trying to make up and down and was lucky enough to hit the flag and go in. It’s been a whirlwind of emotions. There’s a lot of awards I’ve collected but this one right here is definitely the biggest one.”

Brendan Valdes won his match 4 & 3.

“It means everything,” Valdes said. “To get it for guys like J.M. and Vogey, it means the world to see the smile on their faces.”

The best season in program history featured Auburn’s fifth SEC championship, a second consecutive NCAA Regional title, and Koivun, the freshman phenom, claiming both the Ben Hogan Award and Fred Haskins Award, college golf’s highest individual honors.

At long last, after 10 tournament wins including seven straight victories to end the season standing triumphant atop the sport’s biggest stage, the job is finished.

FINAL MATCH: Auburn def. Florida State, 3-2

Anderson def. Bacha, 1UP

Weaver def. Gilbert, 2&1

Koivun def. Roberts, 5&4

Valdes def. Kjettrup, 4&3

Butler def. Clanton, 2&1

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wtvy.com

Auburn men’s golf defeats Florida State, wins first ever NCAA Championship

Brett Batchelor

5–6 minutes

CARLSBAD, California. (WBRC) - WAR EAGLE! For the first time in school history, Auburn has won the NCAA men’s golf championship!

The final round of the NCAA Championship began Wednesday afternoon at Omni La Costa in Carlsbad, California with the #1 ranked Auburn Tigers looking to win their first ever men’s golf national championship. The Tigers sent Carson Bacha out on the course first, followed by Josiah Gilbert, Jackson Koivun, Brendan Valdes, and J.M. Butler.

Koivun was named as the 2024 Fred Haskins Award winner Monday, becoming the Auburn Tiger to win the award and the first freshman to win the award in 2012 when Alabama’s Justin Thomas won the award. (The Fred Haskins Award is awarded annually to the top male U.S. collegiate golfer as voted on by college golfers, coaches, and members of the golf media).

It was a back and forth affair between the first three matches on the course as the two sides were firing on all cylinders. The Seminoles held the momentum very early in the day though as they looked to claim the title.

Cole Anderson of Florida State was 1Down to Carson Bacha of Auburn after the first hole of the day but quickly got back on track after winning holes 3, 6, 7, and 9 to take a 3 Up lead. Bacha won the 10th hole to get back to just 2 Down before finding himself 3Down with 3 holes to play late in the match. Bacha made birdies on 16 and 17, but saw his birdie putt on 18 slide just past the hole as he fell to Anderson 1Down in the first match of the day.

Josiah Gilbert took on Tyler Weaver of Florida State in the second match of the day in California. Weaver got out to a hot start for the Seminoles after winning the 3rd, 5th, and 7th holes to take a quick 3Up lead. Gilbert was able to get a hole back after winning the 8th, but lost the 9th hole and was 3Down through 9 holes. On the back nine, Gilbert was unable to get back into the match as Weaver held a steady lead and finish the match on 17 with a 2&1 win.

Auburn was not going to go down without a fight though as their Freshman All-American and Fred Haskins award winner Jackson Koivun was looking to get the Tigers first point of the day. Koivun and Brett Roberts were tied through the first three holes before Koivun won the 4th hole to go 1Up in the match.

Roberts won the 5th and 6th holes to take a the lead in the match, but Koivun won both the 8th and 9th to hold a 1Up lead heading into the back 9. Then, Koivun showed why he was named the Fred Haskins Award winner. After winning the 10th, 12th, and 13th hole, he capped off the match with a chip in from behind the 14th green for the Tigers first point of the day, winning the match 5&4.

Brendan Valdes and Frederik Kjettrup exchanged leads in the match multiple times throughout the front 9 in the fourth match of the day. Kjettrup won the first hole before Valdes won the 5th hole to make the match all square through five. Then, on the 7th hole Valdes made a five footer for par to take his first lead in the match. After winning the 8th hole, Valdes made a birdie on the par 5 10th to take a commanding 3Up lead after 10 holes.

Valdes then held his lead throughout the back 9 before making a birdie on the par 4 15th to close out his match with a 4&3 win.

After the Seminoles won the first two matches of the day, Auburn stormed back by winning the third and fourth matches, making the anchor match the ultimate decider of the NCAA Championship.

It all comes down to JM.

— Auburn Men's Golf (@AuburnMGolf) May 30, 2024

Senior J.M. Butler, playing in his last round ever for Auburn, was now the deciding point for the Tigers. Butler and Luke Clanton both won one hole each on the front 9, but were all square after 9 holes.

After winning the 10th hole but losing the 11th, Butler made a par on the 12th to regain his 1Up lead in the match.

On the 13th hole, Butler made a clutch par putt to hold onto his lead heading into the 14th hole late in the match.

Holding a 1Up lead with with four holes to play, Butler then won the 15th to go 2Up with three to play.

Butler and Clanton both pared the 16th hole before a Butler win on the 17th hole to claim Auburn’s first ever NCAA National Championship.

Wednesday’s national championship was Auburn’s 10th win of the season and the first ever national championship for the school. (Auburn also won the SEC Championship in April.)

After the win, there was only one thing left for the Tigers:

“We’re bringing one home. Auburn family, get ready for Toomer’s Corner because we’re getting to roll it,” said Auburn head coach Nick Clinard after the match.

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Copyright 2024 WBRC. All rights reserved.

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al.com

Auburn wins NCAA men’s golf championship, claiming program’s first title

Updated: May. 29, 2024, 9:36 p.m.|Published: May. 29, 2024, 9:03 p.m.

3–4 minutes

BIRMINGHAM, AL - SEPTEMBER 27 - Jackson Koivun during the match between the Auburn Tigers and the Vanderbilt Commodores at Country Club of Birmingham in Birmingham, AL on Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023.Jamie Holt/Auburn Tigers

The No. 1-ranked Auburn Tigers men’s golf team stared down an opportunity at history Wednesday as it met with the Florida State Seminoles in the Division I men’s golf national championship at the Omni La Costa Champions Course in Carlsbad, California.

And with a 3-2 win over Florida State, capitalized on the opportunity, bringing home the first national championship in program history.

Putting the first point on the board for the Tigers was none other than Auburn’s freshman phenom, Jackson Koivun, who sank a long birdie to end his match early with a 5&4 win over Florida State’s Brett Roberts.

Koivun kept the Tigers’ season afloat Tuesday as he played three extra holes before helping Auburn clinch the win over Ohio State in the semifinals. Earlier in the day on Tuesday, Koivun was named the winner of the 2024 Fred Haskins Award, which is essentially the Heisman Trophy-equivalent for men’s college golf.

“I think it’s just about getting points on the board,” Koivun said in a television interview after winning his pairing. “Hopefully it takes a little bit off their shoulders. I know it’s going to be a very close match.”

Koivun wasn’t kidding as Wednesday’s championship tilt came down to the anchor match between Auburn senior J.M. Butler and Florida State sophomore Luke Clanton.

After Clanton overshot the green and sent a ball into the water on the 15th hole, Butler’s advantage stretched to 2-UP with three holes to play and put the pressure on Clanton to extend the match.

With Butler and Clanton tying on Hole 16, the all-or-nothing anchor match extended onto the 17th hole, where Butler quickly stepped out front off the tee as his drive found the fairway and Clanton’s found a bunker.

And Butler never looked back, polishing off the anchor match with a 2&1 victory and sealing the championship win for Auburn.

“A college career isn’t complete without a national championship,” Butler said in a television interview after the match. “And we were lucky to win our conference and a national championship.”

While it was ultimately up to Butler to seal the deal for the Tigers, Auburn junior Brendan Valdes joined Koivun in putting a point on the board after finishing 4&3 against Florida State senior Frederik Kjettrup earlier in the evening.

“It’s not about me, it’s about these kids right here,” Auburn head coach Nick Clinard said in a television interview after being handed the national championship trophy. “It’s about these kids, it’s about my coaching staff, it’s about the Auburn Family and it’s about Auburn University. And we’re bringing one home.

“Auburn Family, be ready for Toomer’s Corner because we’re getting ready to roll it.”

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[TuscaloosaTiger 310]

4 hours ago, aubiefifty said:

 

Great point by Jason Caldwell on the Golf Channel coverage of the AU team. AU was the #1 ranked team in the country coming into the championship tournament, but was virtually ignored entering the Finals, even with Koivun as the winner of the Haskins' award. Jason expected the announcers to lead the Final's broadcast with promotion of FSU golf. Really very strange broadcasting and slighting of AU's accomplishments this year. Maybe the slight worked in AU's favor to motivate the team. If so, then thanks for the motivation.

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23 minutes ago, TuscaloosaTiger said:

Great point by Jason Caldwell on the Golf Channel coverage of the AU team. AU was the #1 ranked team in the country coming into the championship tournament, but was virtually ignored entering the Finals, even with Koivun as the winner of the Haskins' award. Jason expected the announcers to lead the Final's broadcast with promotion of FSU golf. Really very strange broadcasting and slighting of AU's accomplishments this year. Maybe the slight worked in AU's favor to motivate the team. If so, then thanks for the motivation.

how dare them sir!

[augolf1716 21,939]

1 hour ago, TuscaloosaTiger said:

Great point by Jason Caldwell on the Golf Channel coverage of the AU team. AU was the #1 ranked team in the country coming into the championship tournament, but was virtually ignored entering the Finals, even with Koivun as the winner of the Haskins' award. Jason expected the announcers to lead the Final's broadcast with promotion of FSU golf. Really very strange broadcasting and slighting of AU's accomplishments this year. Maybe the slight worked in AU's favor to motivate the team. If so, then thanks for the motivation.

Thanks for sharing I don't have the patience to listen to podcasts but that was informative and Jason seemed to know a little about golf.

[LPTiger 5,455]

8 hours ago, augolf1716 said:

Thanks for sharing I don't have the patience to listen to podcasts but that was informative and Jason seemed to know a little about golf.

Seriously, @aubiefifty thanks for working overtime!!!!

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10 hours ago, LPTiger said:

Seriously, @aubiefifty thanks for working overtime!!!!

seriously? thanx big shooter!