WKU golfer Billy Tom Sargent poses for a photo Wednesday at Olde Stone Country Club. Sargent will compete in NCAA Regionals starting Monday at Reunion Resort Watson Golf Course.

Western Kentucky men’s golfer Billy Tom Sargent wrapped up a standout season Wednesday with a final-round 76 in the NCAA Kissimmee (Fla.) Regional.

Sargent finished tied for 70th with a three-day, 11-over tally of 227 (78-73-76) at the par-72, 7,154-yard Reunion Resort Watson Course.

In Wednesday’s final round, Sargent continued his strong play on the back nine with a birdie on No. 18 to begin the shotgun start. The redshirt junior played the back nine at a combined even par across the three days.

Sargent, a Georgetown native, is just the second Hilltopper to ever compete in an NCAA Regional as an individual, and the first since Brent Long in 2008. WKU’s only other NCAA appearance came as a team in 2006.

“Today was a rough day as well,” Sargent said in a news release. “The whole experience was a great learning experience, and it was much-needed.

“I learned a lot this week that will help me moving forward this summer and next year. I learned a lot of things I need to work on that will help me in the long run. Regionals was a great experience, and I hope to be back next year.”

It was the final chapter in a stellar season that earned Sargent a spot on the All-Conference USA Second Team, the first all-league honors for a Hilltopper since 2010.

He was the team’s top finisher at seven events, recording nine top-20s, five top-10s, three top-fives and one victory at the Border Olympics – his third career individual win.

He also finished tied for 11th at the 2018 Conference USA Championship, the best conference tournament result by a Hilltopper since 2010.

“The best players in the world have the shortest memories,” WKU coach Phillip Hatchett said. “This one will sting for BT for a while, but the longer you dwell on a poor performance, the longer it will drag you down. BT is a very positive person with a winner’s mentality. He will reflect on this tournament and pull all the positives he can from the experience and move on. One tournament never defines a player.

“I am so proud of his accomplishments this year. To think he has one more year as a Hilltopper means he has another year to redeem himself in the NCAA competition and to help us as a team reach our lofty goals. All experiences in this game are valuable – you just have to dig deep into it to pull it out. He is a fighter and a winner. I am proud to have him back on The Hill for another year to continue where he left off.”