Nov. 20, 2003

Columbia, S.C. – University of South Carolina men’s golfer Eirik Johansen will be competing in the prestigious 29th Annual Western Refining College All-America Golf Classic in El Paso, Texas from Nov. 23-25. Johansen is one of 29 men’s college golfers to earn the invitation to play in the tournament, which will be held at the El Paso Country Club (par-71, 6,781 yards).

Johansen, a sophomore from Stavanger, Norway, was the Gamecocks leading golfer through the fall schedule posting a 72.3 stroke average. Johansen posted four top-10 finishes in five events this fall. His best finish was at the Carpet Capital Collegiate where he finished in a tie for second place. Johansen becomes the seventh Gamecock to compete in the tournament and the first since Kyle Thompson in 2000.

The tournament festivities will begin on Sunday, Nov. 23rd with a putting contest and long drive competition. Tournament play will begin on Monday with 36 holes being played and conclude on Tuesday with the final 18 holes.

Past champions of the tournament include Notah Begay (1994), David Duval (1991), Matt Kuchar (1999), Davis Love III (1984) and Tiger Woods (1995).