March 9, 2004

MURRELLS INLET, S.C. – Paced by a final-round score of 2-under-par, 70 by junior Alex Hamilton, the South Carolina men’s golf team turned in a steady team round on Tuesday to finish sixth at the Jim Hackler Invitational in Murrells Inlet, S.C. The 54-hole tournament was contested at the par-72, 6,950-yard TPC of Myrtle Beach.

The Gamecocks improved their play in each round, finishing with rounds of 298 and 291 on Tuesday, as Monday’s second round was completed on Tuesday after being halted by darkness. South Carolina finished with a team score of 306-298-291-895. That total was 25 shots off the pace of team champion Pepperdine, which finished at 6-over-par, 292-281-297-870.

Junior Martin Rominger was the Gamecocks’ top individual finisher as he tied for 17th with four other players at 75-72-75-222. That score was nine shots behind individual medalist Alex Coe of Pepperdine, who finished as one of only to players in red figures at 3-under-par, 74-68-71-213.

The next South Carolina individual in the field was junior Alex Hamilton, who finished as part of a five-way tie for 22nd place at 78-75-70-223. Hamilton was followed by sophomore Robert Svensson, who was one of five players tied for 38th place at 77-74-76-227. Gamecock sophomore Eirik Johansen finished among four players in 44th place after carding a final-round score of 72 to complete play at 80-77-72-229.

The final two members of the South Carolina contingent in the field were juniors Jake Thompson and Matt Robinson, both of whom tied for 63rd place with scores of 76-84-74-234 and 80-76-78-234, respectively. Robinson competed as an individual in the event.

Full Tournament results from the Jim Hackler Invitational are available at www.coastal.edu/athletics. The Gamecocks will return to action on March 15-16, when they travel to Aiken, S.C., for the Palmetto Intercollegiate, which will be held at the Palmetto Golf Club.

SOUTH CAROLINA INDIVIDUALST17.    Martin Rominger 75-72-75-222T22.    Alex Hamilton 78-75-70-223T38.    Robert Svensson 77-74-76-227T44.    Eirik Johansen   80-77-72-229T63.    Jake Thompson 76-84-74-234    Matt Robinson*  80-76-78-234
*-Competing as an individual