Mollica Wins Second Monroe Invitational

June 16, 2008

Clemson, SC – Clemson rising senior Phillip Mollica won the Monroe Amateur in Pittsford, NY over the weekend with a score of six under par 274. It was the second Monroe Amateur victory for the native of Anderson, SC, who also won the event in 2006. He is the first two-time winner in the tournament’s 68-year history.

Mollica had rounds of 67-71-70-66 in recording his victory by six shots over University of Maryland golfer Chris Gold. It was the second straight strong showing for Mollica, who finished fourth at the Sunnehanna Amateur the week before.

With the victory, Mollica has risen to 56th in the latest Golfweek World Amateur rankings. He is 23rd among US golfers. Kyle Stanley, who played in the US Open last week, is ranked second in the World Amateur rankings.

Mollica is the fourth golfer with ties to Clemson to win the Monroe in the last seven years. D.J. Trahan, who finished fourth at this past weekend’s United States Open, won the tournament in 2002. Brent Delahoussaye was the 2003 champion. Of course Mollica has won in 2006 and 2008.

“I felt a little nervous going into the last round in 2006, but this time I wasn’t,” said Mollica. “I had been in this position before.” Mollica will compete in the Northeast Amateur in Rhode Island this coming weekend. When Mollica won the 2006 tournament he was the first golfer to lead the Monroe after each of the four rounds.

David May, Mollica’s classmate at Clemson, also had a strong showing at the Monroe. The native of Auburn, NY had consistent rounds of 71-71-71-69 for a 282 total on the par 70 course for a fourth-place finish.

In other amateur action over the weekend, Clemson rising junior Ben Martin finished 18th at the Southeastern Amateur in Columbus, GA with 286 score after rounds of 73-72-68-73. Clemson rising junior Luke Hopkins reached the quarterfinals of the South Carolina Amateur Match Play Championship. He won his first two matches, including a 3 & 2 victory over Clemson teammate McCuen Elmore.