The NCAA East Regional is a team competition, but the teams are made up of individuals who would love the opportunity to add “NCAA Regional Medalist” to their golfing resumes. Here is a look at participants who could conquer Council Fire.

Joel Sjoholm — Georgia State

Joel Sjoholm is more of a realist than an optimist.

Like many other collegiate golfers, he would like to play on the PGA Tour. But he knows he’s not ready for that level of competition when his college career ends sometime this month.

“My thoughts now are to turn pro and to go back to Europe,” said the native of Sweden. “Some people kid themselves and they spend five years on different tours here and don’t ever make it. I don’t want to be one of those guys.

“I’d love to play on the PGA Tour, but I’m not on that level yet.”

Ranked No. 5 by Golfweek and No. 3 by GolfStat, Sjoholm is the top-rated individual participating in the NCAA East Regional this week.

He claimed medalist honors three times this year and propelled the Panthers to a 25-stroke victory in the Colonial Athletic Association tournament.

“He thinks he’s going to play good every time out,” GSU coach Matt Clark said. “Bad shots don’t upset him, and good shots don’t excite him too much. His golf game has a bright future.”

Gareth Shaw — East Tennessee State

Depending on the week, Gareth Shaw is either a stud or a dud.

And when he’s a dud, it’s only because he’s proven he can be a stud. Thousands of college golfers would love to shoot 223 for 54 holes at Tiger Woods’ home course, Isleworth Golf & Country Club.

Shaw earned the Atlantic Sun individual championship and has claimed six top-10 finishes this school year. The senior also been as low as tied for 48th this year with his 223 in Florida.

This spring, he’s been more of the stud with four of those top-10s and nothing worse than tied for 25th, so those high scores from the fall are just a memory.

“People may look at me as a contender, but I want to play my own game and not worry about it,” said Shaw, who is ranked No. 11 by Golfweek. “It’s nice to be ranked among the better players, and hopefully I’ll peak at the right time.”

Jonas Enander Hedin — UNC Charlotte

The 49ers staked a claim early last fall as one of the top teams in the nation by winning the Scenic City Invitational at Council Fire, site of this week’s NCAA East Regional, and then the Ping/Golfweek Preview at the site of the NCAA championships.

Jonas Enander Hedin played a large role in both victories even though he didn’t win medalist honors. His individual victory came later.

“We realized we were one of the top teams in the nation and kept playing from there,” said the Swedish native who is ranked No. 18 by Golfweek. “It’s been exciting.”

Hedin shot 6 under par at the Scenic City, and he expects to do better this week.

“You still have to go back and and re-evalutate the course, the rough and the greens,” said Hedin, who tied for first at the Southern Highlands Championship. “But it really helps confidence wise when you’ve played well on a course.”

Zach Sucher — UAB

Blazers junior Zach Sucher is on one of the hottest streaks in the country, having won three tournaments in the last six weeks.

His recent streak has bolted the junior up to No. 11 in the GolfWeek rankings.

“I don’t really know how I’m doing it,” Sucher said. “The best way to put it is that I’m scoring really well.”

Sucher was also recently named to the 2008 Fuji Xeroz USA vs. Japan Collegiate Golf Championship team.

“I’m playing well enough right now that I definitely feel like I can win the regional,” Sucher said. “But that’s not the most important thing. I need to play well for our team.”

Drew Weaver — Virginia Tech

The most famous golfer in the field at the East Regional won the British Amateur, which earned him a spot in this year’s Masters.

Junior Drew Weaver had a bit of difficulty this spring concentrating on college golf with the Masters looming, but with that experience now history, he’s ready for the regional.

“Drew finished exams before everybody else, so he’s had more time to practice lately,” coach Jay Hardwick said. “I think we’ve got a lot of guys that can win, and I certainly think he’s ready.”