Feb. 6, 2004

Columbia, S.C. – The University of South Carolina men’s golf team will begin their spring schedule by traveling to Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., to compete in the Mercedes-Benz Collegiate Championship. The tournament, which will feature eighteen of the best collegiate teams in the country, is hosted by the University of North Florida and will be played at the Sawgrass Country Club (par 72, 6,985 yards).

The Gamecocks are trying to build off of a successful finish to the fall season, which saw them place first at the Hawaii/Turtle Bay Intercollegiate. As a team USC recorded four top-ten finishes this fall.

Eirik Johansen will lead the Gamecocks into the tournament. Johansen’s stroke average during the fall was 72.3. The sophomore has placed in the top-ten four times in five tournaments. Also leading the way for USC will be junior Martin Rominger. The Pontresina, Switzerland, native averaged 73.07 strokes per round during the fall including a second place finish at The Ridges Intercollegiate in Jonesborough, Tenn. Alex Hamilton hopes to continue his strong play which included a ninth place finish at the tournament in Hawaii. Robert Svensson capped off the Gamecocks successful weekend in Hawaii by taking first place. Svensson, who participated as an individual in Hawaii, fired a three-round total of 2-under-par to take top honors. Rounding out the Gamecocks’ contingent in the field will be Jake Thompson. Thompson participated in one tournament during the fall season, posting a stroke average of 76.

South Carolina(#28) will be part of a strong field at the Mercedes-Benz as 14 of the top 50 teams in the country will be competing. Auburn, Augusta State(#8), Clemson(#2), Duke(#16), Florida(#1), Florida State, Georgia(#3), Kentucky(#24), Louisiana State(#35), North Carolina(#10), North Carolina State, North Florida, Northwestern(#22), Oklahoma State(#13), Tennessee(#31), Texas, and Vanderbilt(#36).

Augusta State took home the team title last season, ending a four-year run by the University of Florida. The Gamecocks were champions in 1998.

USC will tee-off beginning at 8:45 and starting on the tenth hole. The playing partners for the Gamecocks will be North Carolina and Duke. Live results will be available at www.golfstat.com.

The Gamecock Lineup1.  Eirik Johansen2.  Martin Rominger3.  Alex Hamilton4.  Robert Svensson5.  Jake Thompson