Brian Kortan discusses Aggie Golf's draw in NCAA West Regional

Key notes from Brian Kortan interview

• It's a tough job for the selection committee to get the NCAA field correct. A lot of SEC teams got in, and teams from all over the country are going all over the place. Going back to Albuquerque is nice, and I have some familiarity with that course. I started school there in 1989, and that course was old then. They've lengthened it out since. That's in the high desert, so we're going to see the ball go a long way.
   
• Dan Erickson lives in Colorado, so he's used to the elevation. William Paysse has been through that area as well. We'll get over there a couple of days early and get a couple of rounds in. It's a different deal.
   
• Our guys can play anywhere. Sam Bennett has done that. Erickson has done that. So have Walker Lee and Paysse. Danny Rodriguez has played some good rounds for us as well. We're allowed to sub round to round, and it's the only time of year where we can add a little more depth to our team. Those six guys have been with us all year and hit a ton of shots for us.
   
• When you look at scores in golf, you don't see what actually happened. On the second day in Georgia, the first nine were atrocious. We had a lapse for about 12 holes where we played some bad golf. For them to regroup and shoot the scores when they had to is impressive. They're a prideful group.
   
• Bennett gets us going with his scores, but the emotion guy is Dan Erickson. He fires them up. Walker gives you that sneaky smile. Willy just ho-hums it around the golf course and shakes your hand when he's done. Danny Rodriguez got it going for us in the third round and then handled his business against the No. 4 individual in the country in that opening round of match play.
   
• Each week is different. We trust these guys on the golf course, but we can read them pretty well. We can tell when they're uncomfortable and can grab them by the shoulder and tell them to calm down. Still, it's tough because we're spread out across five holes or so. It's about keeping their body language up and focused on moving forward. Some days they need us, and some days we need them. There's nothing better when one of your guys looks at you with that confidence and goes, "Coach, we're good."
   
• There is so much depth in college golf right now, and there are a lot of programs that had two or three guys take advantage of the COVID year to bolster their lineup. Going to a regional is great. Bottom line, we know what's in front of us, and we know we're playing quality opponents. They like that challenge, and we know we have to focus to move on to the national championship in Scottsdale.
   
• I just like focusing on us being us. I don't really care who is in our regional. When we leave town, it's just about us playing good golf, and as long as we do that, we'll be just fine.
   
• School is done, so our guys can get their focus back on playing golf. Some of our guys have played some U.S. Open locals, so they've got some competitive rounds in. We'll play together a little bit as well to prepare for this. I don't have to say much to them. They know when to get it going.
   
• Gary Blair's tournament is a great event for a great cause. Traditions Club does a great job of putting that thing on. There will just be a few extra divots when I go out there on Saturday, so I'll have to bring some sand along.
   
• The GOLF Channel has pushed this forward with coverage of the national championship, and that's part of why they went to match play in that event. It makes it more compelling.