Clemson Finishes Tied for Second at Hootie Invitational at Bulls Bay

March 25, 2008

Clemson, SC – Kyle Stanley rolled in a 10-foot birdie putt on the final hole to allow Clemson to finish in a tie for second place with rival South Carolina on Tuesday at the Hootie Invitational at Bulls Bay Country Club in Mount Pleasant, SC. The Tigers and Gamecocks finished in a dead heat for second place with an 850 total, 12 shots behind champion NC State.

The second place finish marked the third time this year Clemson finished in the runner up spot, the first time in three tournaments this spring. There were seven top 25 teams in the 15-team field, including the 16th ranked Tigers. Clemson had two of the top five golfers in the individual race, the first time that has happened this year. Clemson also had four players in the top 27, a big improvement over the last tournament, the Linger Longer, when Clemson had just one of the top 34 players individually.

It was also Clemson’s best finish at the Hootie Invitational after a 12th place in 2005 and a ninth place in 2006.

Phillip Mollica fired a three-under par 68 on Tuesday, tying the best round of his career and the Anderson, SC junior finished in a tie for third at five-under par 208 for the tournament. It was his best tournament as a Clemson golfer by 10 shots in terms of total strokes. He finished with rounds of 69-71-68 for the 54 holes. He now has four rounds in the 60s in the spring season, more than any other Tiger golfer.

Kyle Stanley also had a top 10 finish with a fifth place thanks to a score of 210 for the three days. The sophomore had a consistent tournament with rounds of 71-69-70. The fifth place finish was his best of the season and best since he was runner up at the NCAA National Championship last year. Stanley made birdie on two of his last three holes to finish with the one under par 70.

Sam Saunders was Clemson’s third player to finish in the top 25 at the Hootie Invitational. The sophomore from Windermere, FL had rounds of 72-72-71 to finish at 215, good enough for 23rd position. Junior David May was also consistent with rounds of 73-73-72 for a 27th place finish at 217. It was also May’s top tournament of the year. Senior Tanner Ervin had rounds of 75-73-73 for a 221 total. His eight over par score was tied for 45th.

Clemson will get back on the course this weekend when it plays in the 24-team Furman Invitational in Greenville, SC. South Carolina will be among the 24 teams in the field. It will be Clemson’s first appearance in the event since 1997. Clemson won the event in 1992 and 1993.

Clemson at Hootie Invitational Bulls Bay Golf Club, Mt. Pleasant, SC Par 71, 7261 yards