Wednesday 11/05/2003
Nov. 5, 2003
Clemson is the #3 seed in this weekend’s 16-team Hooters Collegiate Match Play Championship held at Barefoot Resort in Myrtle Beach, SC. Clemson, the nation’s preseason No. 1 team, is just behind Florida and UCLA in the latest Precept coaches’ poll.
Clemson will square off Friday against Auburn, the #14 seed. The winner of that match will take on the winner of the Arizona State-UNLV match. The tournament format is double elimination. The 16 teams selected to compete were based on finishes at last year’s NCAA National Tournament, which Clemson won. The tournament will conclude Sunday. The Tigers finished second in the Hooters Match Play one year ago to Oklahoma State. Clemson defeated Purdue, Oklahoma State, and Augusta State before falling to the Cowboys in the championship match.
Matt Hendrix leads the group heading to Myrtle Beach this weekend. Hendrix, a preseason All-American, boasts an even 70.00 stroke average. His best individual finish came in the Carpet Classic when he claimed third place. Hendrix was strong in last year’s Match Play, as he tallied a 3-1 record for the Tigers. He also fared well in the Walker Cup this summer, an event that is also match play format, when he gained 3 1/2 points for the U.S. team.
Gregg Jones has been a steady performer this fall for Clemson. His 71.18 stroke average is third best on the team. He has two top 10 finishes through four tournaments in the fall. Jones was undefeated in the Hooters Match Play last year with a 3-0-1 record.
Jack Ferguson is second to Hendrix on the Clemson team in stroke average with a 70.91 figure. He, like Hendrix and Jones, has two top 10 individual finishes so far this season. He has been consistent this year, as all 11 of his rounds to this point have been at 75 or better.
Brent Delahoussaye and Brian Duncan will fill the final two spots for the Tigers this weekend. Delahoussaye has been a valuable addition to the Clemson squad this year. He has a 72.64 average through four events, with a top 10 finish at the Fall Preview in September. Duncan competed in the Match Play last year for Clemson, as he compiled a 1-2-1 record as a red-shirt freshman.
Clemson began the season as the nation’s top-ranked team. The Tigers have finished in the top four at each event so far this season. Clemson’s best team finish thus far has been a tie for second at the Carpet Classic in October. The Hooters Match Play will be Clemson’s final event until next spring, so the Tigers will be looking for a victory this weekend.
First-Round Matches #1 Florida vs. #16 Wichita State #8 Texas vs. #9 Augusta State
#4 Georgia vs. #13 Arizona #5 Georgia Tech vs. #12 Southern California
#3 Clemson vs. #14 Auburn #6 Arizona State vs. #11 UNLV
#7 Oklahoma State vs. #10 Wake Forest #2 UCLA vs. #15 N.C. State
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