Huskers Make Final Stand at Big 12 Championship

Hutchinson, Kan. - The Nebraska men's golf team, who's eyeing its first regional appearance since 2007, takes part in the 2011 Big 12 Championship, Monday, April 25-Wednesday, April 27, in their final stand as a member of the conference. Prairie Dunes Country Club, a par-70, 6,593-yard layout, in Hutchinson, Kan., will play host to the Big 12 Championship.

Tenth-seeded NU is paired with No. 11 Kansas and No. 12 Kansas State for Monday's opening 36 holes. The three teams will tee off on Hole No. 1, beginning at 8 a.m. The second round will immediately follow the first round on Monday, with the third round starting Tuesday at 8 a.m. and the fourth round teeing off Wednesday at 8 a.m.

In their last time out, the Huskers tied for eighth at the Hawkeye Invitational, amassing 612 strokes over 36 holes at the weather-shortened tournament. Senior Mike Coatman led the way, amassing 152 strokes over 36 holes, en route to a tie for 20th finish.

Coatman, who is making his 11th start this season for the Huskers, will play in the No. 1 spot for the team at the Big 12 Championship. The Lincoln, Neb., native has the team's fourth-best stroke average, at 75.41, while producing a team-leading three top-five finishes. Coatman's lowest round of the 2010-11 campaign is a 65, which was shot at the Jackrabbit Invitational in March.

Playing in the No. 2 position is fellow senior, Brett Nymeyer. The Stratford, Ontario native has a stroke average of 75.28, marking the third-best on the team. His last time out, Nymeyer tied for 29th, which counted as his fourth straight finish in the top-30. His lowest round this season in 32 attempts is a 69 and his best finish is a tie for 11th.

Scott Willman, who has played in all 11 tournaments for the Huskers this season, is competing as the No. 3 player at the Big 12 Championship. The junior has broken 80 in 31 out of 32 rounds this season, while earning a 74.41 stroke average in the process. Willman's best finish this season is a tie for seventh and his best score is a 68.

Sophomore Neil Dufford will represent the No. 4 spot for the Huskers at Prairie Dunes Country Club, marking his ninth start of the season. The Midland, Texas native, who has started in every event this spring, has four subpar rounds in 26 attempts, which has helped his stroke average at 75.58.

Andrew Wyatt will play as the No. 5 position for the Huskers, which marks his 12th start this season. The senior produced NU's best finish at last year's Big 12 Championship, with a tie for 17th in Trinity, Texas. Wyatt leads the team in nearly every statistical category, including team stroke average (73.72), top-10 finishes (four) and rounds in the 60s (four). In addition, he has broken 80 in 31 out of 32 rounds this season.

Oklahoma State is the No. 1 seed in the Big 12 Championship and looks to win its fifth consecutive championship when the Cowboys tee it up on Monday. Texas A&M, Texas and Texas Tech represent the Nos. 2, 3 and 4 seeds, respectively.

Check Huskers.com for day-by-day recaps from the Big 12 Championship.

Big 12 Championship
Host: University of Nebraska
Location: Hutchinson, Kan.
Course: Prairie Dunes Country Club
Par: 70 - 6,593 yards
Tee Times (All Times Central):

• Monday, April 25 (36) - 8 a.m.
• Tuesday, April 26 (18) - 8 a.m.
• Wednesday, April 27 - 8 a.m.

Nebraska Lineup
No. 1 - Mike Coatman, Sr.
No. 2 - Brett Nymeyer, Sr.
No. 3 - Scott Willman, Jr.
No. 4 - Neil Dufford, So.
No. 5 - Andrew Wyatt, Sr.

Big 12 Championship Seedings (Last year's finish in parentheses):
1. Oklahoma State (1st)
2. Texas A&M (2nd)
3. Texas (3rd)
4. Texas Tech (4th)
5. Oklahoma (T-7th)
6. Baylor (6th)
7. Missouri (11th)
8. Iowa State (10th)
9. Colorado (9th)
10. Nebraska (T-7th)
11. Kansas (12th)
12. Kansas State (5th)