NINETY SIX, S.C. – Charleston Southern men's golf rode the momentum it picked up as the No. 1 seed following the conclusion of stroke play Friday into Saturday's match play to determine the Big South champion and the Bucs came away with the fourth league title in program history after sweeping their two sets of match play, earning the conference's automatic berth to the NCAA Regionals.

"This is a huge win for our program!," head coach Jordan Jeffers said. "I'm so proud of our guys. They deserve so much credit for their composure over the last-four days. They never shied away from the big moments and it shows in our play. We have a special group of guys!"

LEAVING NO DOUBT IN THE FINALS
The Buccaneers topped No. 2 seed Gardner-Webb in the afternoon finals, 4-1, putting several of their points away early to leave no questions unanswered as the league's top program this season. The match started with Caleb Loudin earning a 1-up triumph over Zack Byers of the Runnin' Bulldogs. Byers was one of the most prolific players in the conference this year, earning medalist honors after Friday's stroke play.

CSU kept its foot on the gas when Ethan Willis built a 2-0 cushion with his 4 and 3 decision against Peech Bunnadodee, leaving the Buccaneers just one point shy of clinching the title. Again, it was an overwhelming victory for Charleston Southern as Alan Smith finished off Jules Bondil by a 5 and 4 triumph to set off the celebrations.

One other match went the Bucs way to record the final score, as Ben Carroll picked up a 1-up win against Max White.

TIGHT ONE IN THE MORNING
The semifinals during the morning was a bit closer but Charleston Southern prevailed over No. 4 seed Winthrop, 3-2. Smith knocked off Ryan Tattan 4and 2, while Loudin posted an identical victory against Taylor Hubbard for two of the points.

Willis captured the other decision for the blue and gold, topping Matthew Hutto 2 and 1.

FOURTH IN PROGRAM HISTORY
The championship is the fourth for the Buccaneers in their storied history and the first since 2015. It's the first under head coach Jeffers, who took the reins of the men's program prior to the season in addition to his duties serving at the helm of the CSU women's program simultaneously.

Charleston Southern previously won league titles in 2001, 2003 and 2015. CSU is one of five programs in league history with at least four championships, joining Coastal Carolina, Campbell, Augusta and Liberty.

NCAA APPEARANCES
It will mark the fifth NCAA trip in school history, as well, joining those 2001, 2003 and 2015 squads plus the 2016 edition which qualified as an at-large. The Bucs have also sent at least one individual five other years (2002, 2006, 2010, 2011 and 2012).

WAIT TO FIND OUT
Charleston Southern will learn of its destination and NCAA Regionals information during the selection show, which will be held at 4 p.m. May 4 on the Golf Channel. The announcement will include the entire field, which consists of 81 teams and 45 individuals.

POSSIBLE SITES
The Buccaneers will be picked to attend one of six regional sites, May 15-18. Options include The Traditions Club in College Station, Texas; the PGA National Resort – Champion Course in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida; The Course at Yale in New Haven, Connecticut; The Reserve at Spanos Park in Stockton, California; Ol' Colony Golf Complex in Tuscaloosa, Alabama; and the OSU Golf Club in Columbus, Ohio.

Those teams and individuals that advance through the regionals will compete in the NCAA National Championships, May 27-June 1, at the Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale, Arizona.

BIG SOUTH SEMIFINALS MATCH PLAY
No. 1 seed Charleston Southern (3)
No. 4 seed Winthrop (2)

Ethan Willis (CHSO) def. Matthew Hutto (WINT) 2&1
Nick Mayfield (WINT) def. Ben Carroll (CHSO) 2&1
Austin Mosher (WINT) def. Griffin Tarver (CHSO) 3&2
Alan Smith (CHSO) def. Ryan Tattan (WINT) 4&2
Caleb Loudin (CHSO) def. Taylor Hubbard (WINT) 4&2

BIG SOUTH FINALS MATCH PLAY
No. 1 seed Charleston Southern (4)
No. 2 seed Gardner-Webb (1)

Caleb Loudin (CHSO) def. Zack Byers (GWU) 1UP
Miles Albright (GWU) def. Griffin Tarver (CHSO) 2UP
Ethan Willis (CHSO) def. Peech Bunnadodee (GWU) 4&3
Ben Carroll (CHSO) def. Max White (GWU) 1UP
Alan Smith (CHSO) def. Jules Bondil (GWU) 5&4