Clemson Finishes Third at Augusta State

April 2, 2006

Augusta, GA-Clemson freshman Vince Hatfield shot a season best 70 and finished in seventh-place individually to lead 15th ranked Clemson to a third place team finish at the Administaf Augusta State Invitational at the Champions Retreat Golf Club in Augusta, GA on Sunday. It was the highest team finish of the year for the Tigers, who had an even par score of 864 for the 54 holes.

The third-place finish was the best by the Tigers over the last 19 tournaments dating to the season opening third-place finish at The Ridges in Johnson, TN last year. Coastal Carolina won the event with a 10-under par score of 854, while South Carolina-Aiken was second at 859.

Clemson had its most balanced performance in three seasons. It was the first time Clemson had four players finish in the top 20 of a tournament since February of 2204 when Clemson had four players in the top 20 at the Puerto Rico Classic.

The field included five of the top 21 teams in the nation.

Three nationally ranked teams finished near or at their national ranking in the event as fifth ranked UCLA was fifth (867), 10th ranked East Tennessee State was 10th at 882 and 14th ranked Tennessee was 13th at 895.

Hatfield’s 70 on Sunday included six birdies, but he had a double bogey five on the par three 15th hole coming in. Still, he had a 215 total for the weekend, including 12 birdies and an eagle. His seventh place finish was his best of the year and tied for the second best finish by a Clemson player all year.

Tanner Ervin and Stephen Poole both finished in a tie for 13th among the 83 players in the field. Poole shot a 73 on Sunday to finish at even par 216 for the 54 holes, while Ervin shot a 74 to finish with the same total. Poole had consistent scors of 72-71-73 for the weekend and had nine birdies, seven bogeys and a double bogey. Ervin had scores of 72-71-74. He could have finished with his first top 10 finish of the year, but he bogeyed two of the last three holes.

Brian Duncan, Clemson’s top golfer in terms of the Sagarin rankings entering the tournament, shot a 74 on Sunday and finished with a 217 score for the tournament, good enough for 19th place. It was Duncan’s sixth top 20 finish in seven events this year. He had an opening round 69 that was the best round of the tournament by a Clemson golfer.

Martin Catalioto also contributed to Clemson’s third place team finish with a 223 score, seven over par. He had an opening round 72 and a final round 74 to highlight his first action of the spring season.

Clemson freshman Luke Hopkins played as an individual in the tournament and recorded a top 25 finish with a 219 score after consistent rounds of 72-73-74.

Clemson’s next action will be April 10-11 when the Tigers compete in the Atlanta Classic at the Golf Club of Georgia.

Clemson at Administaff Augusta State Invitational April 1-2, Augusta, GA

*Competed as an individual