Five Tigers Make The Cut At Richmond Open

May 18, 2001

Richmond, VA- Five former Clemson golfers made the cut at the Richmond Open on Friday, this week’s event on the Buy.com Tour. All five of the golfers shot 67 or better, including three who had 65s on Friday.

Overall, seven former Tigers are in the field for the Richmond Open, a record for one pro golf event.

Leading the group at the halfway mark of the event is Danny Ellis. The Floridian, who played at Clemson from 1990-93, had a 66 on Friday to go with his 69 on Thursday, and his135 total is good enough for eighth-place.

Richard Coughlan and Jonathan Byrd both shot 65s on Friday and are tied for 12th at 136. Coughlan was an All-American for the Tigers from 1993-97, while Byrd was a member of Clemson’s team last year and was a three-time All-American between 1997-00. The Clemson graduate was a two-time Academic All-American and he is currently second on the BUY.com money list.

Tommy Biershenk, who played for the Tigers from 1992-96, fired a 65 on Friday to go with an opening round 72 and stands 22nd at 137. Clarence Rose, Clemson’s first All-American in golf in 1980, shot a 67 on Friday and is 35th at 138.

Two other former Clemson players were in this week’s event. Elliot Gealy, who played for the Tigers from 1995-99, shot a 72 on Friday and missed the cut by one shot. He finished with a 141 total. Charles Raulerson is a seventh former Tiger who played in the event, but he missed the cut.