Cody golfer the first since 2002 to advanceUniversity of Wyoming junior Gabe Maier, a native of Cody, received an individual bid to the NCAA West Regional golf tournament in Bremerton, Wash., on Monday. Maier is the first UW golfer to advance to regional competition since 2002 and only the fifth golfer in school history to receive such an opportunity. The tournament takes place May 20-22 with the top performers advancing to the NCAA championships. Maier joins Dave McCleave (1990), Pat Fry (1995), David Hearn (1999-2001) and Mike Urbatchka (2002) as the only Cowboy golfers to qualify for a regional event. The 1992 UW team remains the only golf team in school history to advance to regional competition. Maier currently holds a 71.7 stroke average for the season, fourth-best among Mountain West Conference golfers. He owns four top-10 finishes and three top-five appearances this year. His season highlight was winning the 92-man UW Desert Intercollegiate last fall. Maier is currently ranked No. 81 in the national GolfStat Cup rankings. His short game has received the No. 14 national rank by GolfStat's statistical breakdown. “We are all very excited for Gabe, as he is very deserving of this opportunity,” said UW director of golf Joe Jensen. “Gabe has played really well this season and it is great to have him recognized on a national level. He earned this opportunity with his tremendous work ethic. We will prepare hard for this event and go out there to compete for a chance of going to the national tournament.”The West Region tournament will be held on the Gold Mountain Golf Club's Olympic course, future host of the 2011 U.S. Junior Amateur championships. The 18-hole layout plays to a maximum yardage of 7,104 yards and a par of 72.

Cody golfer the first since 2002 to advance

University of Wyoming junior Gabe Maier, a native of Cody, received an individual bid to the NCAA West Regional golf tournament in Bremerton, Wash., on Monday. Maier is the first UW golfer to advance to regional competition since 2002 and only the fifth golfer in school history to receive such an opportunity.

The tournament takes place May 20-22 with the top performers advancing to the NCAA championships.

Maier joins Dave McCleave (1990), Pat Fry (1995), David Hearn (1999-2001) and Mike Urbatchka (2002) as the only Cowboy golfers to qualify for a regional event. The 1992 UW team remains the only golf team in school history to advance to regional competition.

Maier currently holds a 71.7 stroke average for the season, fourth-best among Mountain West Conference golfers. He owns four top-10 finishes and three top-five appearances this year. His season highlight was winning the 92-man UW Desert Intercollegiate last fall.

Maier is currently ranked No. 81 in the national GolfStat Cup rankings. His short game has received the No. 14 national rank by GolfStat's statistical breakdown.

“We are all very excited for Gabe, as he is very deserving of this opportunity,” said UW director of golf Joe Jensen. “Gabe has played really well this season and it is great to have him recognized on a national level. He earned this opportunity with his tremendous work ethic. We will prepare hard for this event and go out there to compete for a chance of going to the national tournament.”

The West Region tournament will be held on the Gold Mountain Golf Club's Olympic course, future host of the 2011 U.S. Junior Amateur championships. The 18-hole layout plays to a maximum yardage of 7,104 yards and a par of 72.