Three Tigers Reach Final Eight of South Carolina Amateur Match Play

June 23, 2002

Clemson, SC – Current Clemson players Ben Duncan and Brian Duncan, and 2002 senior Tripp James, all reached the quarterfinals of the 2002 South Carolina Amateur Match Play Championships held at the Country Club of Spartanburg over the weekend. The event is run by the Carolinas Golf Association.

James, a member of four top 10 golf teams at Clemson, reached the quarterfinals of the event. He had shot a 68 and 71 to rank fourth among qualifiers in the stroke play portion, then defeated Michael Manes of Galivants Ferry and Ryan Castle of Summerville in the first two rounds of match play.

In the quarterfinals, James was beaten by Taylor Hough, also of Spartanburg, in 19 holes. James actually was two down with two holes to play, then won the 17th and 18th holes with birdies. Hough then won the first playoff hole.

Both Duncan brothers reached the semifinals of the event. Ben Duncan, who will be a senior at Clemson next year and was a starter on the Tiger team this past year, defeated Jake Thompson of Greenville 2 and 1, Ken Murray of Pendleton 3 and 2, and Matt Dura of Sumter, 2 and 1, to reach the semifinals. He was then defeated in the semifinals by Nick Biershenk, of Boiling Springs 3 and 2.

Brian Duncan, who will be a red-shirt freshman at Clemson this coming year, defeated Alex Hamilton of Aiken 3 and 1, Emmett Tuner of Greenwood 2 up, and Walter Todd of Laurens, 2 and 1 to reach the semifinals. He was eliminated from the tournament by Taylor Hough in 20 holes.