Clemson Advances in Rolex National Match Play

November 1, 1998

VERO BEACH, Fla. – Clemson defeated both North Carolina and Houston in the Rolex National Match Play Championships at Indian River Country Club in Vero Beach on Sunday. The Tigers will now advance to the championship match against Georgia on Monday. This marks the second straight year Clemson has gone to the finals. Clemson lost to eventual National Champion UNLV last year , 3-2.

The Tigers won the first round on Sunday morning with a 3.5 to 1.5 victory over ACC rival North Carolina, then downed Houston 4-1 in the afternoon. Georgia defeated Arizona 3.5 to 1.5 in the morning, then stopped TCU 4.5 to 0.5 in the afternoon.

Lucas Glover, John Engler and Elliot Gealy all won both of their matches on Sunday. Glover, a sophomore, is now 4-1 in his career in the Rolex Match Play event, while Glover is 3-2.

In the morning against North Carolina, all five matches lasted until at least through the 16th hole. Jonathan Byrd and Max Harris, the number-one players for each team, respectively, halved their match. John Engler downed Don Hill 3 & 1. The other three matches all ended 3 & 2. Brad Hyler of North Carolina defeated Tiger freshman Michale Hoey, but Clemson’s Lucas Glover stopped Ted Haley and Elliot Gealy defeated Rob Simmons. It was the first action for Gealy since the first tournament of the fall.

In the semifinals, four of the five matches were close, going through the 17th hole. Andy Sanders stopped Byrd 1 up, but John Engler and Gealy both won over their opponents 2 &1. Glover defeated Chris Morris 4 & 3, while Hoey defeated Victory Schwamkrug, 1 up.

Rolex National Intercollegiate Match Play Team championship at Indian River Club, Vero Beach, FL

First Round

Clemson 3.5,  North Carolina 1.5Jonathan Byrd (Clemson ) and Max Harris (North Carolina ) halvedJohn Engler (Clemson)  d. Don Hill (UNC)           3&1Brad Hyler (UNC)       d. Michale Hoey (Clemson)   3&2Lucas Glover (Clemson) d. Ted Haley (UNC)          3&2Elliot Gealy (Clemson  d. Rob Simmons (UNC)        3&2

Second Round

Clemson 4,   Houston 1Andy Sanders (Houston ) d. Jonathan Byrd (Clemson)      1 upJohn Engler (Clemson)   d. B.J. Staten (Houston)         2&1Michale Hoey (Clemson)  d. Victor Schwamkrug (Houston)   1upLucas Glover (Clemson)  d. Chris Morris (Houston)        4&3Elliot Gealy (Clemson)  d. Mike Brennan (Houston)        2&1