Sept. 26, 2003

Columbia, S.C. – The USC men’s golf team has captured two top five finishes in its three tournament appearances this fall. Led by sophomore Martin Rominger, the Gamecocks most recently placed third in the 18-team Mason Rudolph Championship in Nashville, Tenn. Rominger finished in a tie for fourth after firing a four-under-par 67 in the second round. The hot second round allowed Rominger to jump from 15th place to within three strokes of the tournament medalist. The Switzerland native’s 67 is the top round for a Gamecock golfer after seven rounds of competition. Also leading the Gamecock charge was sophomore Eirik Johansen who finished in the top ten. Johansen’s two-round total of 143 (71-72) was good enough for a seventh place tie. Rock Hill, S.C., native, Matt Robinson, posted consecutive 74’s to finish in a tie for 31st at 148. Rounding out the Gamecock golfers, West Streib (75-77) and Nash Elliott (73-79) finished in a tie for 53rd with two round totals of 152. The tournament, which was played at The Golf Club of Tennessee, was won by UAB with a five-under-par score.

At the Bank of Tennessee/ The Ridges Intercollegiate, Rominger again was all over the pin finishing in a tie for second with a three-round total of 210 (71-70-69) while leading the Gamecocks to a fifth place finish. Stavanger, Norway, native, Eirik Johansen claimed his best finish thus far with a 214 (72-71-71). Jason Huguet, of Greenville S.C., tied for 47th after shooting a 224 (76-74-74). Alex Hamilton’s 225 (76-77-72) and Elliott’s 228 (75-78-75) put them in 52nd and 66th place, respectively. Jake Thompson competed individually for the Gamecocks at the tournament. The Greenville, S.C.,native finished with a 228 (72-76-80) to finish the tournament in 66th place. The Ridges Country Club in Jonesborough, Tenn. was the site of the tournament.

In the first tournament of the year the Gamecocks made the short trip to Kiawah Island, S.C., to compete in the Cleveland Golf Kiawah Island tournament. The Sept. 8-9 tournament was played at the Turtle Point Golf Club. The Gamecocks bounced back and played well after a tough first round. Elliott, a redshirt senior, scorched the course firing a two-under-par 142 (71-71) to claim top honors for the Gamecocks, the fifth place finish is his best this year. Hamilton posted a two-round total of 152 (77-75) to finish in a tie for 36th. Rominger (79-74) and Huguet (79-74), participating as an individual, finished one stroke behind Hamilton and placed 43rd. Huguet was participating as an individual in the tournament. Rounding out the Gamecocks, Johansen (80-76) and Robert Svensson (77-79) finished at 156 which landed them in a tie for 50th.

Coach Puggy Blackmon and the Gamecocks will participate in the Carpet Capital Collegiate Oct. 3-5 in Rocky Face, Ga. The 18-team tournament, hosted by Georgia Tech, will be played at The Farm (Par 72, 6,942 yards). Last year the Gamecocks finished in 13th place at the tournament. To round out the fall schedule the team will head to Kahuku, Hawaii to compete in the Hawaii/ Turtle Bay Intercollegiate on Nov. 3-4. The Gamecocks played well in their trip to Hawaii last year finishing third out of 17 teams. The University of Hawaii will be the host of the tournament which will be played at the Links at Turtle Bay Resort (Par 72, 7,299 yards).

Gamecock Stroke Averages Martin Rominger        71.71 Eirik Johansen      73.29 Nash Elliott          74 Matt Robinson        74 Alex Hamilton        74.57 Jason Huguet          75.4 Jake Thompson        76 West Streib            76 Robert Svensson        78