Over 100 NCAA Division II men’s golfers will be arriving in the Beckley area this weekend to compete in the 2010 NCAA Division II Atlantic/East Regional at The Resort at Glade Springs.

“This is the third time since 2006 that we’ve hosted an NCAA tournament at Glade Springs,” said Will Prewitt, associate commissioner of the WVIAC. “We’ve hosted two regionals and one national tournament. But it’s the fourth overall at Glade Springs. We also hosted a regional there in 1998.”

 The competition hosted by the WVIAC office and the athletic staff of Concord University will take place Monday through Wednesday.

The 54-hole event will feature 20 teams who will do battle to qualify for five team spots in the upcoming National Division II championship at the Sagamore Club in Noblesville, Indiana, May 18-21. 

Eight individuals will also be part of the Super Regional field. 

Glade Springs has turned out to be a preferred spot for the tournament, Prewitt said.

“The NCAA called us to ask us if we’d like to host this year,” He said. “I think that speaks a lot about the how nice of a place Glade Springs is. And it’s nice that they have that type of confidence in us. They like to move these events around, but the NCAA is very comfortable with Glade Springs.”

Prewitt can use the assistance he’s receiving, with the WVIAC baseball and softball tournaments also gearing up this week.

“It’s very challenging this time of the year,” he admitted. “We’re going all sports of directions. Concord’s staff does a great job of co-hosting it too.”

The staff at Glade Springs also received praise from Prewitt, who also serves on various NCAA championship committees.

“Mike James is extremely good to work with at Glade Springs,” Prewitt said. “He’s very supportive of collegiate golf. I can’t think of another place that I’ve been that’s been better. We’re moving our own (WVIAC) tournament here this fall. 

“You realize when and where you’re wanted — it feels good.”

James, the Director of Golf and Recreation at Glade Springs, expressed excitement about the NCAA event as well.

“This is a great way to show off our golf course and our facilities,” he said. “I love to see a newcomer’s reaction — the wow factor. It’s a great place.

“People will comment on how much the course has improved each year,” James added. “Golfers can really see that. It’s easy for them to identify it. We get a lot of good feedback. The course is really tightened up. The greens are running at good speeds The players are going to have a nice experience.”

James pointed to the tournament volunteers as another attractive feature for the NCAA.

“The NCAA has been great to work with,” James said. “They’ve been very supportive. I think that not only do we have great facilities, but we have great volunteer support. We’re thrilled with the number of volunteers we have this year. That’s what makes this special.

“Having the volunteers that we have will take the tournament up several notches,” James added. They really add to the experience.”

Six WVIAC member schools will be represented by five teams and one individual from the Atlantic Region.

The field for the Atlantic Region includes (in order of ranking): 1. Indiana (Pa.), 2. Concord, 3. Ohio Valley University, 4. California (Pa.), 5. Clarion (Pa.), 6. University of Charleston (WV), 7. Millersville (Pa.), 8. Bluefield State, 9. Virginia State and 10. West Liberty.

Atlantic Region individuals are: 1. Drew Deimel, Gannon (Pa.), 2. Kenny Bethea, Livingstone (NC), 3. Tyler Bidwell, Mercyhurst (Pa.) and 4. Mike Gervais, West Virginia Wesleyan.

East Region team participants are: 1. Wilmington (Del.), 2. American International (Mass.), 3. Post (Conn.), 4. St. Thomas Aquinas (NY), 5. Adelphi (NY), 6. Le Moyne (NY), 7. Massachusetts-Lowell, 8. Dowling (NY), 9. Goldey-Beacom (Del.) and 10. Nyack (NY).

East Region individuals are: 1. D.J. Lantz, Southern New Hampshire, 2. Jonathan Radick, Holy Family (Pa.), 3. Matt Horton, Saint Rose (NY) and 4. Joseph Leardo, Felician (NY).

— E-mail: jworkman@register-herald.com