Golf Captures U.S. Collegiate Championship

April 11, 2006

Alpharetta, GA – The Clemson golf team captured the U.S. Collegiate Championship on Tuesday, giving the Tigers their first team title since the NCAA East Regional in New Haven, CT in May of 2004. Stephen Poole also earned individual medalist honors, the first Tiger golfer to do that since Matt Hendrix won the Augusta State Invitational in April of 2004. The last time Clemson won both the team and individual title at the same tournament was on May 18, 2002, when the Tigers won the NCAA East Regional and D.J. Trahan earned medalist honors.

The #13 Tigers shot a final round two-over par 290 on the Lakeside Course at the Golf Club of Georgia and finished at even par for the tournament, three strokes ahead of third-ranked Florida. Rounding out the top five at the event were Wake Forest, Georgia Tech, and Georgia, the top-ranked team in the nation by Golfweek. The win also gives Clemson head coach Larry Penley 58 career tournament victories.

Poole played a steady round for the third consecutive time and finished with a one-under par round of 71, giving him a three-round total of 211 (-5). His previous best finish was sixth at both the Atlanta Intercollegiate and ACC Tournament in 2004. On Tuesday, he carded three birdies and two bogeys for his 71. He had just one score of double bogey or worse over the 54-hole tournament. He moved ahead of second-place finisher Webb Simpson from Wake Forest, who shot a five-over 77 on Tuesday. Poole trailed him by five shots heading into the final round.

Tanner Ervin shot a one-over par 73 to tie for 10th place, the best collegiate finish ever for the sophomore from Mt. Pleasant, SC. He totaled a one-over par 217 for the tournament. On Tuesday, he shot 35 on the back nine by totaling eight pars and a birdie. His previous best finish had been 13th, which he did at Augusta State on April 2.

Brian Duncan tied for 14th after finishing with a total of 219, three-over par. He shot 73 on Tuesday and posted four birdies, three of which came on the front nine. Duncan now has four top 15 finishes this season.

Vince Hatfield continued his strong play from Augusta State, as he posted a 220 total (+4) and finished in a tie for 17th. He was crucial in getting Clemson the victory, as he carded two birdies for a 34 on the back nine Tuesday. He shot a one-over 73 Tuesday, meaning each of his three rounds was at 75 or better.

David May tied for 29th and his Tuesday score of 76 did not count toward Clemson’s ledger. He experienced an up-and-down final round, complete with four birdies, six bogeys, and a double bogey. May’s 223 score was his best total in a tournament since the Puerto Rico Classic, the opening event for the Tigers’ spring season.

The Tigers return to action on April 21-23 to take part in the ACC Championship, which will once again be held at Old North State Golf Club in Uwharrie Point, NC.

Clemson at the U.S. Collegiate Championship (Par 72, 7020 yards)Stephen Poole      70      70      71      211     1stTanner Ervin       74      70      73      217     T10thBrian Duncan       75      71      73      219     T14thVince Hatfield     75      72      73      220     T17thDavid May          72      75      76      223     T29th