2024 NCAA DII West/South Central Regionals (Final Round)

LAS CRUCES, N.M. – Academy of Art junior Giulio Zanichelli concluded the third and final round of 2024 NCAA Division II West/South Central Regionals in grand fashion on Saturday, as his 6-under-par 207 placed him tied for third place out of the 108 competitor field earned him the highest finish by an Urban Knight at Regionals to date. After a one-hole playoff with two others at University Golf Course, Zanichelli performed in the clutch to earn his spot at the NCAA DII National Championship. 

Shooting a 2-under-par 69 on the day, Zanichelli entered the back nine with a 2-over-par 37 before inevitably knocking down two eagles and a birdie to put himself back under par for the third-straight round. With the eagles coming on Holes 12 and 15, the Parma, Italy native got a much-needed 10-footer to drop for birdie on Hole 18 to eventually force the Nationals playoff with the two other golfers also tied for third.

The first playoff hole among the trio was all it took, as Zanichelli recorded a par to place among the top two while competing against Sangha Park of UT Permian Basin and Chris Wardrup of Cal State San Bernardino.

Zanichelli proved why he was an individual qualifier for 2024 NCAA DII West/South Central Regionals, as he finished with the best score compared to any other individually-entered golfer by 10 strokes. 

The junior's third-place rank was the best regional finish in program history as it overtakes Julius Kreutzer's sixth place finish in 2021, a tournament in which Kreutzer received All-Region honors.

Finishing as the individual champion, Dylan Arthur of Colorado Christian concluded the tournament with a 9-under-par 204, as he took the tournament win away from Leandro Mihaich of Oklahoma Christian who led the field at a point with his 7-under-par 206.

Next up, Zanichelli will compete at the NCAA DII National Championship in Winter Garden, Fla. at the Orange County National Golf Center, starting on May 21.