Sept. 1, 2011

Entering the final round of the 2011 NCAA Florida Regional in Ocala, Fla., Baylor was in control of its postseason future, holding one of the coveted top-five spots. Baylor owned a one-stroke lead through seven holes, but stumbled on the back nine, eventually falling out of contention and failing to advance to its second consecutive NCAA Championship.

With 14 consecutive NCAA Regional appearances, the Bears are concentrating on not only extending that streak, but also erasing last season's ending and returning to college golf's version of "the big show."

"We were definitely disappointed that we didn't finish the final round of 2011," ninth-year head coach Greg Priest said. "We had never been in that position, sitting inside the top five entering the final round. Normally, we would have been on the outside and working our way into a top-five spot.

"Probably our biggest challenge was not ever being in that position prior to last season," Priest said. "More importantly, we have to learn how to put together a clean tournament, especially a big tournament like an NCAA Regional. Yes, that adds more pressure, but in order to consistently be among the nation's best, we have to learn how to deal with added pressure."

In order for Baylor to extend its consecutive NCAA Regional appearances streak to 15 and challenge for a Big 12 Conference title, the Bears will rely heavily on seniors Joakim Mikkelsen and Lorenzo Scotto. Last season, Mikkelsen posted one of the best individual seasons in school history with a 72.35 scoring average, three top-10, five top-15 and nine top-25 finishes. He has played in three NCAA Regionals as well as Baylor's 2010 NCAA Championship appearance.

Alongside Mikkelsen is Scotto, who has competed in three NCAA postseason events. Scotto's production last spring fell off from the fall, resulting in the Pordenone, Italy, missing the NCAA Florida Regional. Combined, the European duo has 14 top-10, 24 top-15 and 40 top-25 finishes, while posting a 73.55 scoring average in 212 career rounds (71 events). Priest believes both will be vital to Baylor's postseason aspirations.

"We will lean heavily on them," Priest said. "Joakim has been our No. 1 man for the last two seasons and has produced great results. Lorenzo had a great fall in 2010, but lost some confidence in the spring. He's returned to his form from last fall and enjoyed a good summer. In order for us to get to where we want to go, we will need good seasons from them."

Baylor's experience isn't limited to only Mikkelsen and Scotto. Juniors Ryan O'Rear and Jerry Ruiz have both played important roles in the Bears' lineup over the last two seasons. O'Rear, a former three-time individual Texas state champion, finished the season third on the team with a 73.60 stroke average and 10 rounds of par or better. The Salado, Texas, native and Ruiz were among the five Baylor golfers that played in at least 10 events in 2010-11. Ruiz ranked fourth on the team with a 73.80 scoring average and second in rounds or par or better (11).

"(Jerry Ruiz and Ryan O'Rear) are two solid players; both have played in the majority of our tournaments," Priest said. "They have great experience and have shown flashes of some really good golf. We'll need them to step up, contribute and be more consistent.

"They don't have to win a tournament for us; they need to put together solid rounds and clean, useable scores that will help the team score."

Drew McGee, Matthew Seligmann and Niclas Mansson round out Baylor's seven returning golfers. McGee (three), Mansson (three) and Seligmann (two) played in a combined eight events in 2010-11. Mansson had his true freshman season cut short because of a wrist injury and received a medical hardship waiver for the 2011-12 season. Even though all three saw limited action last season, Priest is confident any of them can step into the lineup at any given time.

"Niclas (Mansson) had a really good fall, but hurt his wrist and missed the spring," Priest said. "He received a hardship waiver and hopefully he will return to his playing form soon. If he does that, we'll be good.

"We also have Drew (McGee), who's been in and out of the lineup some. I'm very confident he can play well when needed," Priest said. "Matthew (Seligmann) has also been in the lineup a little bit and continues to get better."

The cornerstone of Baylor's 2010-11 season was all five returning starters from its 2010 NCAA Championship lineup. This season, Priest must find a way to replace departed seniors Cody Paladino and Payne Gniewek from his 2011 NCAA Florida Regional lineup. With Paladino, the Bears lost a huge chunk of their NCAA postseason experience; Paladino competed in four NCAA Regionals and two NCAA Championships, including one trip as an individual. And while Baylor's 2010-11 season didn't end as planned, Gniewek concluded his college career with a final-round 69, tying for sixth place overall at 7-under 209. His 209 tied a Baylor 54-hole low in NCAA postseason play and posted the Bears' best individual NCAA finish since Jimmy Walker in 2001.

"Experience like that is definitely tough to replace," Priest said. "This team has a lot of depth. I feel good about any of them hopping in the lineup at any time.

"When you are given an opportunity, you have to produce; that's the biggest part," Priest said. "My hope is that we won't have a huge revolving door at the bottom of the lineup, but I feel good about any of them stepping up."

Baylor's talented and deep roster is complemented by the addition of three freshmen - Mikkel Bjerch-Andresen, Kyle Jones and Filippo Zucchetti. Both Bjerch-Andresen (Norway) and Zucchetti (Italy) have played for their respective countries' national teams and possess extensive international experience. Bjerch-Andresen won the 2010 Titleist Tour Order of Merit, while Zucchetti, who prepped at Bradenton (Fla.) Prep School, has posted top-five finishes in several international events.

"Mikkel (Bjerch-Andresen) is a big guy and can move the ball extremely well," Priest said. "He has a tremendous amount of experience in international and team competition. He and Filippo (Zucchetti) are the same. They've both played a lot of events in Europe with their respective national teams."

Jones, a Snowflake, Ariz., product, was ranked as high as No. 17 on Junior Golf Scoreboardand was led his high school team to three straight Arizona Class 3A state golf championships. Jones won four straight Arizona state individual golf titles and participated at the 2010 U.S. Amateur in Michigan. Priest believes this freshman class could not only be one of his best at Baylor, but all three can also consistently vie for spots in the lineup.

"Going through preseason qualifying, I've been really impressed with what we have," Priest said. "Kyle (Jones) has won numerous state titles and made it to the U.S. Amateur (in 2010). I think, all together, we have a lot of really solid players.

"I expect them to get into the lineup this season, Priest said. "I have a really good feeling about this freshman class. They are going to make it tough on some of our returners."

In August, Golfweek's Asher Wildman listed Baylor No. 42 in the nation among his top 60 men's programs. Wildman on Baylor: "With four starters back, there is no reason the Bears shouldn't make a 15th consecutive trip to regionals. At times, this team shows flashes of greatness; the next step is consistency. With the experience, talent and depth on this year's roster, the Bears should improve, solidify themselves as a top-30 team and earn an NCAA Championship spot next May."

Priest agreed with Wildman's assessment of his squad and knows that, in order for Baylor to make its second NCAA Championship trip in three seasons, the Bears will have to play consistently, week-in and week-out.

"You never know. We have the potential (to return to the NCAA Championship)," Priest said. "We have to take care of business. We have the talent to compete with just about anybody. Last year, for the most part, we relaxed during the year and didn't take care of business. When it came down to the end and we had to play well, we did.

"So this time, we have to come out with more of a purpose from start to finish. Every single tournament is one worth winning. Don't let it get down to the end of the season when you have to play well in order to make the postseason. I think we can be really special. If we play as well as I know we can, there's no reason why shouldn't be back at the NCAA Championship in 2012."

Baylor's 2011-12 season tees off Sept. 4-5 with the Turning Stone Tiger Intercollegiate in Verona, N.Y.