Clemson Returns to Course at Jerry Pate Intercollegiate

Sept. 30, 2011

CLEMSON, SC – Clemson’s 12th ranked golf team returns to the course Monday to participate in the Jerry Pate Intercollegiate in Birmingham, AL. The two-day 54-hole tournament will be played at the par 70 Old Overton Course, October 3-4.

The 12 teams will play 36 holes on Monday the 3rd and 18 on Tuesday October 4th. The field includes number-one ranked Auburn, number-five ranked Alabama, the 12th, seventh ranked Texas, the 12th ranked Tigers, Arizona, Louisville, Mississippi State, Middle Tennessee State, Samford, SMU, UAB and UNLV.

Clemson has not played at the Jerry Pate Intercollegiate since October of 2005, but the Tigers have a strong history in the tournament. Clemson won the tournament four years in a row from 1997-2000, the only tournament Clemson has won four years in succession in its history, and also won the 2002 event, the fall before Clemson won the 2003 National Championship.

D.J. Trahan and Hunter Mahan tied for the individual crown in 2001. Both are prominent players on the PGA Tour today.

Alabama and Auburn have dominated the tournament the last five years, winning all of the tournaments in that time.

Clemson will bring the same lineup to the Jerry Pate that competed in the season opening Carpet Classic back on September 9-11. The Tigers finished fifth in the 12-team event that included six top 25 teams.

McCuen Elmore had the top tournament for the Tigers at the Carpet Classic with an eighth-place finish off a 213 score. He had consistent rounds of 70-71-72, the only Tiger to shoot par or better each day.

Corbin Mills was one shot back with a 214 score and an 11th place finish. His final round 68 was the best turned in by a Tiger at the Carpet Classic. Mills now has 11 career rounds in the 60s, more than any other active Tiger.

Jacob Burger had a 217 score in the opening event and will be in the Clemson lineup. H has a career average of 73.20 and has shot 75 or better in 58 of his 74 events.

Freshman Billy Kennerly returns to the lineup for Clemson. He had a 226 score for three rounds at the Carpet Classic, but had a second round 70 that tied for Clemson’s best round that day.Thomas Bradshaw will start as well. He had a 228 score at The Farm.