Nov. 30, 2005

COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina men’s golf coach Puggy Blackmon did not have to leave the state of South Carolina to secure his latest recruiting class. Blackmon has inked the Palmetto State’s three best prep golfers in George Bryan IV, Patrick Rada and Paul Woodbury, to national letters-of-intent. The trio will join the Gamecock program in the fall of 2006.

“The state of South Carolina has consistently produced young talent. During the past three years, we have signed outstanding in-state student-athletes who have excelled both on the golf course and in the classroom,” Blackmon said. “Patrick, George and Paul will play integral roles in establishing USC as a consistent national contender.”

This marks the third straight year Blackmon has brought in what are arguably the state’s premiere high school players. Two years ago, Mark Anderson (Beaufort, S.C.), Patrick Cunning (Aiken, S.C.) and Warren Thomas (Columbia, S.C.) joined the Carolina golf program. Last year, Baker Elmore (Cheraw, S.C.) and Allen Koon (Bamberg, S.C.) signed with USC.

Bryan, Rada and Woodbury rank 1-2-3 in the latest South Carolina Junior Heritage Classic Player Rankings.

George Bryan
Chapin, S.C. • Dutch Fork High School

George Bryan IV is currently ranked first in the South Carolina Heritage Classic Foundation Player Rankings. Byran played for coach Mark Giles at Dutch Fork High School, which finished fourth at the 2004 State Championship. During his prep career, he has won the 2003 and 2005 Joe Wyatt and the 2005 Capital City Classic. Bryan has been an all-state and all-region selection every year. Bryan qualified for the 2005 U.S. Amateur and made it to match play. He also qualified for the 2005 U.S. Junior and advanced to the round of 32. Bryan won the 2005 CPGA Westfield, the 2005 Player’s Championship, the 2005 Florence Junior and the 2004 Charles Tilghman. He also placed second at the 2005 Carolinas Junior.

Bryan is a member of National Honor Society and the Beta Club. He has also been on the honor roll the last three years.

The son of George and Valerie Bryan, George IV was born Jan. 12, 1988. He is undecided on a major at USC.

George Bryan on choosing USC:
“I chose USC over any other school because it was the best college for me. It was close to home and the golf team is one of the best in the country. USC is also very good academically.”

Patrick Rada
Anderson, S.C. • T.L. Hanna High School

Patrick Rada played for coach Yon Radford at T.L. Hanna High School in Anderson, S.C. During his prep career, T.L. Hanna has advanced to State every year and finished in the top four in each of the past three years (2003-2004-2005).

Rada is currently No. 2 in the South Carolina Heritage Classic Foundation Player Rankings and made the American Junior Golf Association’s All-America Team. Rada competed in the South Carolina-Georgia Team Matches and the Carolinas-Virginias Team Matches. In 2005, he earned medalist honors at both the South Carolina Junior Championship and the AJGA Dunlop Carolina Classic. Rada also placed in the top five at the Ballentine Junior, Anderson Sunshine House Junior, Jimmy Self Junior Championship, Georgia-South Carolina Cup, Junior Azalea, PGA Junior Series-Mississippi, South Carolina Junior Match Play Championship, Carolina’s Junior Championship and the South Carolina Junior Four-Ball Championship.

In addition to his accomplishments on the golf course, he is a member of the National Honor Society and was selected a member of Junior Leadership Anderson. Rada is also a recipient of the Life Scholarship.

The son of Ken and Janet Rada, Patrick was born Jan. 7, 1988. He plans to major in business at USC.

Patrick Rada on choosing USC:
“The atmosphere at USC was very appealing to me. Coach Blackmon made the decision to come to USC a lot easier than I had expected, by being very welcoming and encouraging of my golf aspirations. The academic side of USC offered an opportunity to graduate with a great degree from a terrific business school. I also had a great chemistry with the guys on the team and look forward to being a part of Gamecocks’ winning tradition.”

Paul Woodbury
Lake City, S.C. • Lake City High School

Paul Woodbury played for coach Andy Hamilton at Lake City High School in Lake City, S.C. Woodbury captured regional medalist honors in 2004 and 2005.

Woodbury is currently No. 3 in the South Carolina Heritage Classic Foundation Player Rankings. He finished runner-up at the SCJGA Junior in 2004 and 2005 and the Carolina PGA Junior Westfield in 2005. Woodbury also placed third at the 2005 Fall Challenge, the 2005 Bobby Chapman and the Carolinas Big I. He was also a top-10 finisher at the 2005 Carolinas Junior.

A volunteer firefighter, Paul ranks No. 2 academically in his senior class. He is also a member of the National Honor Society and the Beta Club.

The son of Joseph and Barbara Woodbury, Paul was born Nov. 19, 1987. He plans to major in business finance at USC.

Paul Woodbury on choosing USC:
“I chose USC because of the camaraderie between the players. We have grown up playing together and have developed great friendships over the years. I think we will have numerous amounts of success on the golf course because I know these guys and they can play. Also, we will be under a great instructor and hopefully with hard work, we can all move our game to the next level.”