June 4, 2006

The South Carolina men’s golf team wrapped up the 2005-06 season in the NCAA Championship over the weekend. Using a lineup that featured one senior, two sophomores and two true freshmen, the Gamecocks competed in the school’s 14th NCAA Championship final and the seventh under head coach Puggy Blackmon. Blackmon shared his thoughts on the team’s performance and the future of the Carolina golf program:

“I told the players that I was proud of them. A special thank you goes to Eirik Johansen for four great years and especially the leadership he provided for this young squad. He has been an incredible example and role model as an All-American in both the classroom and on the golf course.”

“I’m proud of the players and proud to be their coach. In the final round, they showed once again what they are made of. Like so many other times this year, they responded to a poor start by staying tough and finishing strong. There were many times they could have given in and quit, but they didn’t. This team will provide the nucleus for the best ever at USC and the standard has been raised for next year. Next year they will no longer be a young, experienced team and expectations will be much greater. I want them to take the great experience from their first NCAA final and get ready to lead our talented group of incoming freshmen to an NCAA Championship at USC.”

“This group of guys, especially the two freshmen (Allen Koon and Florian Fritsch) have really impressed me down the stretch. During the NCAA postseason, they have been our top performers. The nucleus of a very good team is in place and I am excited about the future of Gamecock Golf.”