June 6, 2005

COLUMBIA, S.C.– Since committing to the University of South Carolina men’s golf team in late November, four signees have continued their exceptional play in preparation to compete for the Gamecocks in the fall under head coach Puggy Blackmon.

As of May 23, Florian Fritsch, the top amateur in Germany, is ranked 16th in the European Golf Association’s amateur. A native of Wiesloch, Germany, Fritsch’s best finish came in second place, one stroke behind England’s Gary Lockerbie, in the Lytham Trophy May 1 in Lytham St. Anne’s, England.

Allen Koon, a native of Bamberg, S.C., won the Class A state individual title by 15 strokes, leading Bamberg-Ehrhardt High School to its first state team title since 1977 and their first in Class A. He shot rounds of 72 and 69 to win his final high school tournament.

Playing for Cheraw High School in Cheraw, S.C., senior Baker Elmore claimed his second Class AA state individual title May 10 by two strokes with rounds of 72 and 67.

Mark Silvers of Savannah, Ga., shot a 79 to help his Savannah Country Day team place third in the state boys’ golf tournament May 9.

All four golfers will be freshmen at the University of South Carolina in the fall.