Brian Kortan, A&M men's golf preparing for NCAA Championships

Finishing second in the Auburn Regional, Texas A&M men's golf claimed a spot in the NCAA Championships for the fourth consecutive year. Head coach Brian Kortan joined Monday's edition of TexAgs Live to discuss what's ahead in Carlsbad, California.

Key notes from Brian Kortan interview

• Regionals is an interesting deal. You’re excited to be there, but you see all the things that can happen. The guys did a heck of a job. Obviously, Auburn is really good on its home course. To do what we did and be steady. To come out and finish second, beating good teams along the way. It’s a lot of improvement from our guys. It puts us in a position to do what we signed up for — to chase the big trophies.
   
• I think as a team, we knew we were a little loose in the first round, but we didn't shoot ourselves in the foot. We don’t panic, and each day the guys got more and more comfortable on the golf course. I don't think they were too worried about playing good golf. That was more of my job. I have a ton of confidence in those guys and knew they would do what we needed to do.
   
• If we finished the second round a little better, the third round would have been a completely relaxing situation. Finishing rounds in college golf is a huge piece. You're counting four scores from five guys. If you keep putting good scores on the board, it goes a really long way. For the guys to know that and step up to those situations is great to see.
   
• For those of us who have small teams, the transitions are always quick. You have guys here for four years, then they're gone. You don't have a ton of options. We have nine guys, and some are really young, some are older and transitioning into leadership roles. The growth comes from the established culture and the recruitment process. They know what’s expected, and they grab hold of it and do their part to grow it. Guys move in and out. It's Phichaksn Maichon and Michael Heidelbaugh’s last tournament. We have new guys coming in next year. It keeps evolving, but the culture piece holds true. They’re trusting that coach Fast and I will do what we need to do, so we can compete in the end.
   
• This is their final go. They’ve meant so much, and obviously A&M has meant a lot to them. It's kind of bittersweet. You know what they meant to the program. As soon as we finish the season, coach Fast and I will be sitting down to figure out how we get back here. Heidelbaugh has been amazing this year, and Maichon has been one of the best players in college golf. Now, it's time for them to transfer out, and it’s time for guys like Wheaton Ennis and Jaime Montojo to step into these roles, to embrace the culture and push the Aggie way on guys behind them. It’s a constantly evolving program with some very sound principles.
   
• It's a big golf course in Carlsbad. You have to hit a lot of drivers. When we play well, we are good with a golf ball. We play at Traditions, where you have to drive great. If you drive on the fairway well, and you can control the ball on scorable holes, you have a chance to shoot good scores. It’s a challenge. It'll be firm. It'll be rough, but you have to be ready to go in all phases. 
   
• It doesn't change a ton. You're still trying to get the guys to play the right way and to execute at a high level. You try to get comfortable with what’s going on. You have to handle the job in front of you.
   
• We’ve ascended up the ladder a good bit from where we started getting our tail kicked in the first tournament of the year to where we are now, being the No. 10 seed at the national championship. It’s a tribute to the effort these guys have put in. They’re great kids, and they’ll fight their tails off this weekend.