Nov. 4, 2003

Columbia, S.C. – Sophomore Robert Svensson (71-72-71) earned his first collegiate victory after firing an impressive one-under-par 71 in the third round at the UH/Turtle Bay Intercollegiate. Svensson, who competed as an individual, became the first Gamecock golfer to earn medalist honors in a tournament since Kyle Thompson won the 2001 NCAA West Regional. Svensson’s three-round two-under-par 214 was good enough to defeat Coastal Carolina’s Alvaro Velasco by one stroke.

“Robert was very good. He was very disappointed about not playing in the tournament,” said Head Coach Puggy Blackmon. “We made a last minute decision to let him come and he goes and wins the tournament. That is very impressive.”

Svensson, a native of Molby, Sweden, became the ninth Gamecock golfer to win individual honors under Coach Blackmon. Svensson was one of two golfers to post an under-par score in a third-round that saw constant winds of 35 mph.