Rebels pursue NCAA tee time

UNLV’s Dwaine Knight has coached golf long enough to know the surest path to a berth in the NCAA Championships is to win the league tournament.

The Rebels might already have done enough to merit an at-large berth, but Knight would rather they eliminate any guesswork by winning the 54-hole Mountain West Conference Championship at Tucson National Golf Club.

"It’s not a sure thing," Knight said of an at-large bid. "If we don’t win in Tucson, we’ll have to wait and see."

Play begins today on the 7,136-yard, par-71 course. For UNLV to win, it will have to overcome the inconsistency that has plagued it this spring.

Knight refuses to cite youth as an excuse; the team has one junior, two sophomores and two freshmen.

"We’re a young team," he said, "but we’re a talented team. We need a spark, someone to get us going."

Eddie Olson, the MWC individual champion last year, probably will be that someone. The junior from Aptos, Calif., has been UNLV’s best player, though a recent bout with the flu has sidetracked him and the Rebels.

Olson became ill while competing at Tucson National in March during the National Invitation Tournament. He and the Rebels were in contention entering the final round, but Olson didn’t make it past the first tee. He wound up withdrawing, and the Rebels’ chances withered.

Olson is back to 100 percent, and he said he recognizes the crucial role he plays in setting the tone for the team.

"I know I’m expected to be the team leader," he said. "But I want our guys to be relaxed. Yes, it’s a big tournament. It’s for a conference championship and a (conference) ring, but I try to approach it like it’s a practice round. Just go out and play and have fun."

Olson has developed that approach during three years of playing in big tournaments.

"My course management has improved," he said. "I think my way around the course better. I don’t hit it as long as some guys, but I can turn a bad round into a good round."

The Rebels have not won an MWC title since 2002. Knight said he can’t recall a time in the 10 years of the Mountain West that the tournament is as wide open as this season.

"It’s ultra-competitive," he said. "TCU. Colorado State. New Mexico. BYU. San Diego State. Any one of them are capable of winning.

"We have the talent to win it, too. It’s a course we’ve performed well on, and I like the fact it’s a neutral site. It’s a level playing field for everyone."

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913.