Clemson Golfers in Action at Las Vegas

March 6, 2002

Clemson, SC-The fourth ranked Clemson men’s golf team will have a chance to enhance its national ranking at the Las Vegas Intercollegiate this weekend. Larry Penley’s team is on of 15 teams who will compete on the Southern Highlands Golf Course layout.

Four of the top five teams and 10 of the top 25 in the nation according to the Precept Coach’s Poll will be in action at the three-day 54-hole event. The field includes defending champion and number-one ranked Georgia Tech.

This will be Clemson’s 14th appearance in the tournament, which dates to the 1974 season. Clemson’s best finish is third, the team finish achieved last year, and in 1997. D.J. Trahan is the only Clemson player to win the event, as he took medallist honors two years ago as a freshman with a 207 score.

Trahan will be back again this year as a junior to lead the Clemson team. He is the number-one ranked player in the nation with a 69.86 stroke average. He has had 20 consecutive rounds of 72 or better a record streak in Clemson history. He has six consecutive top four finishes, including medallist honors at the Carpet Classic and the Jerry Pate Intercollegiate.

Gregg Jones will be Clemson’s number-two player. The sophomore has a 72.33 average and is coming off a number-four finish at the Puerto Rico Classic, his top finish as a Clemson golfer. He shot a 211 score for the 54 holes in Puerto Rico.

Ben Duncan, Matt Hendrix and freshman Martin Catalioto will also be in the Clemson lineup this weekend. Duncan is also coming off his best finish as a Tiger as his 214 score was 11th at Puerto Rico. He has a 74.44 stroke average for the year. Hendrix has a 74.00 average for the year. His score has counted towards the Clemson team score in all but two rounds so far this year. Catalioto will be playing in his first event of the spring after posting a 76.22 average for three events in the fall.