Clemson Finishes Second at Augusta State Invitational

April 6, 2003

Clemson, SC – Clemson held a one-shot lead heading into the final round of the Cleveland Golf/Augusta State Invitational, then shot an all-time record 18-under par 270 in the final round, yet lost the tournament. Augusta State topped Clemson with a 21-under-par team round and downed the number-one ranked Tigers by just two strokes. The 17-team event that featured 10 of the top 25 teams in the nation was played on the Forest Hills Golf Club par 72 layout that is the home of the Augusta State team. Augusta State finished with a 54-hole score of 820, while the Tigers finished at 822. Both scores are considered to be among the best team tournament scores in college golf history. The 822 team score was a Clemson school record, as was the 42-under-par. It was the best score versus par for a Clemson team by an incredible eight strokes.

Oklahoma State and Wake Forest tied for third at 25-under-par, 839, but 17 shots behind the Tigers and 19 behind Augusta State. Georgia was fifth at 23-under, while Georgia Tech was sixth at 22-under par. Leading the way for Clemson was All-American D.J. Trahan who had a final round 64. He finished at 201, 15-under par, good enough for second place behind Oliver Wilson of Augusta State, who also had a 64 on Sunday and finished at 199. Trahan’s 201 score tied for the best 54-hole score in Clemson history, but it was the best on a par 72 hole course in school history.

Trahan birdied his last two holes on the way to his career best performance by two shots. He had shot a career best tying 66 in the opening round, the eighth time in his career he had shot a 66. But, his eight-under-par round on Sunday bettered that. It tied for the second best round in Clemson history. The only round that is better is Brad Clark’s 63 at the ACC tournament in 1985.

Jack Ferguson had a consistent tournament with rounds of 67-69-69. It was just the eighth time in Clemson history that a player recorded three rounds in the 60s in the same tournament, yet the sophomore from Seneca finished tied for fourth at 205. It was the second best tournament of Ferguson’s career.

Matt Hendrix and Gregg Jones also finished in the top 25 for the Tigers, who will now prepare for the ACC Tournament April 18-20. Hendrix shot a 71 on Sunday, the worst score by a Tiger, but still finished 21st overall for the weekend with a 211 score. Jones had a 69 on Sunday and his 212 score was good enough for 25th.

Ben Duncan continued his strong comeback with a 68 on Sunday, a round bettered only by Trahan among Tiger golfers on Sunday. He had four birdies and 14 pars in his consistent round that tied his career best for the second straight day. He finished at 215 for the tournament, tied for 40th.

Clemson at Cleveland Golf/Augusta State InvitationalD.J. Trahan             66-71-64        201     -15     2ndJack Ferguson           67-69-69        205     -11     4thMatt Hendrix            68-72-71        211     -5      21stGregg Jones             72-71-69        212     -4      25thBen Duncan              79-68-68        215     -1      40thTeam                    273-279-270     822     -42     2nd