Brian Kortan reacts to Texas A&M going west for NCAA Regionals

During the NCAA Selection Show on Wednesday, Texas A&M men's golf learned they will be heading the Stanford Regional as a No. 4 seed. On Thursday morning, head coach Brian Kortan joined TexAgs Radio to offer his thoughts on going to Palo Alto for the postseason.

Key notes from Brian Kortan interview

• There is a good story behind the Ol’ Sarge golf logo. We were trying to figure out a way to showcase our Aggie Golf Association and give them something unique, but it took a little while. We had to get some approvals and go through the process. I like how it came out.
   
• Every regional is solid. You have to go play good golf. Stanford will run a great tournament. It’s a golf course where you have to play well. The teams that are playing the right golf at the right time will be the ones who advance. It doesn’t matter where we go. We have to play well.
   
• There is so much depth in college golf. The PGA Tour is just getting younger and younger. There are a lot of teams that have quality talent. The sport has come a long way in terms of depth and quality play. You have to show up and play your tail off to move on.
   
• You’ll run into some teams you know. We play all over the country and play some of the best teams in the country. We’ve seen Florida State, Ole Miss and Stanford. Our good golf is good enough to compete anywhere. If we handle business, we’ll be fine.
   
• This year has been a battle a little bit. Guys have transitioned into new roles. Others have worked on their game to take the next step. There is a lot that goes into shooting better scores. We have lost a couple of great players that aren’t on the team anymore. The guys have done a good job this spring. We continue to get better. They’ve bought in and are coachable. They’ve been aggressive in their pursuit of improvement, and we have improved. Our best golf is still ahead of us.
   
• I like the direction we’re going in. We’ll get school and finals behind us this week. Their minds will be cleared up. They know what’s at stake, and they like it. We had quite the experience last year, so they know what’s in store. They’re excited to get going.
   
• Phichaksn Maichon wasn’t happy with how he played in Sea Island. He’s great, so he’ll put his time in to get it back where he wants it.
   
• Jaime Montojo is doing a good job. He’ll be ready to go. He did a good job at Sea Island in his matches. He did a great job from tee to green. He was frustrated with his putting a little bit. He really enjoys the team golf.
   
• This team is extremely close. That’s how we are. That’s our identity. We’re in this together, and these guys have embraced that. It brings everybody closer together. They care about the program and representing Texas A&M.
   
• Hopefully, it will stop raining and let us get on the course to prepare. We stick to what we do. We’re a methodical program. Our guys are builders and competitors.
   
• We have some good leaders in Michael Heidelbaugh and Daniel Rodrigues. These guys know what is at stake, and they know what they want to do. If I have to remind them what is at stake at this point, I haven’t done my job.
   
• I really like what I do, and I appreciate the challenges. We’ve had a lot of special moments at A&M since I’ve been here. I remember last year in a regional and getting into a playoff after being dead in the water with 10 holes to go. I tend to look forward to figuring out how to climb the next hill.