Georgia Downs Clemson in Finals of Rolex Match Play

November 2, 1998

VERO BEACH, Fla. – Georgia downed Clemson 3-2 in the championship match of the Rolex Match Play Championship at Indian River Club in Vero Beach Monday afternoon. It was the second straight year Clemson has lost in the championship by a 3-2 score.

Clemson took a 1-0 lead by winning the battle of number-one players. Jonathan Byrd won his fifth career match at the Rolex Match Play event ith a 7 & 6 victory over Jeremy Parrott of Georgia. In the battle of #4 players, Mark Northey of Georgia then stopped Clemson freshman Michale Hoey 3&2.

The other three matches came down to the final hole and two of those ended in a tie. John Engler and Ryuji Imada of Georgia halved their match, as did the contest between Lucas Glover and Michael Morrison. Engler and Glover both finished the three-day event with 2-0-1 records for the three days.

Nick Cassini defeated Clemson’s Elliot Gealy 1 up in the fifth match of the day. Gealy, a senior, had won both of his matches in the event previously.

Clemson will be in action this weekend at the Golf World/Palmetto Dunes Collegiate Invitational at Hilton Head Island.

Rolex National Match Play Team ChampionshipIndian River Club, Vero Beach, FL

Georgia 3, Clemson 2

#1  Jonathan Byrd (Clemson) d.  Jeremy Parrott (Georgia)     7 & 6#2  John Engler (Clemson) and Ryuji Imada (Georgia)          halved#3  Mark Northey (Georgia) d. Michale Hoey (Clemson)         3 & 2#4  Lucas Glover (Clemson) and Michael Morrison (Georgia)    halved#5  Nick Cassini (Georgia) d. Elliot Gealy (Clemson)         1 up