April 4, 2006

As the South Carolina men’s golf team prepares to head west for this weekend’s Arizona State Thunderbird Invitational, the team’s five-player lineup has been set. Senior Eirik Johansen, sophomore Mark Anderson, redshirt freshman Patrick Cunning and true freshmen Florian Fritsch and Allen Koon will make the trip to Tempe, Ariz., for the Gamecocks. This marks the third straight tournament coach Puggy Blackmon has used the lineup.

The ASU Thunderbird Invitational tees off on Saturday, April 8, and concludes on Sunday, April 9 at ASU’s Karsten Golf Course (Par 72 – 7,026 yards).

Carolina hopes to carry the momentum of its best spring finish into this weekend. The Gamecocks placed in a tie for second at the second annual Hootie at Bulls Bay Intercollegiate, March 26-28. Both Johansen and Fritsch placed in a tie for ninth to lead the Gamecocks. South Carolina (279-283-296 = 858) was the highest finisher among six SEC teams that competed in the event.

A Look at USC’s Lineup:

Eirik Johansen (Senior, Stavanger, Norway)
Johansen boasts five top-10 finishes this season and a total of 19 during his career at USC … One of two golfers to compete in every varsity event this season … Best Gamecock finisher in six of eight events this season … Set a season low round with a 76 on the first day of the Hootie at Bulls Bay (March 26) … Tied for fourth at the TOPY Cup (Sept. 6-8) and earned fourth-place outright at the Bank of Tennessee Intercollegiate (Oct. 15-16) in helping the Gamecocks to the team title.

Mark Anderson (Sophomore, Beaufort, S.C.)
One of two golfers to participate in every varsity event this season … Best showing of the season came at the Mercedes-Benz Collegiate Championship (Feb. 5-7) as he placed 10th … Posted a low round of 71 in the first round of the Hootie at Bulls Bay Intercollegiate (March 26-28).

Florian Fritsch (Freshman, Wiesloch, Germany)
True freshman has competed in seven of eight varsity events … Owns three top-10 finishes … Best Gamecock finisher in three tournaments … Placed second at the Bank of Tennessee Intercollegiate (Oct. 15-16) and in a tie for sixth at the Mercedes-Benz Collegiate Championship (Feb. 5-7) … Low round is a 68, carded in the second round of the Bank of Tennessee Intercollegiate.

Patrick Cunning (Redshirt Freshman, Aiken, S.C.)
Redshirt freshman has competed in four varsity events, including USC’s win at the Bank of Tennesseee Intercollegiate (Oct. 15-16) … Fired his low round of 67 in the second round of the Schenkel E-Z-Go Invitational (March 18-19) … Best individual finish is a tie for 26th at the Hootie at Bulls Bay Intercollegiate.

Allen Koon (Freshman, Bamberg, S.C.)
True freshman has participated in four varsity events, including all four tournaments this spring … Had back-to-back top 25 showings at the Mercedes-Benz Collegiate Championship (Feb. 5-7) and the Gator Invitational (Feb. 18-19) … Shot his low round of 71 in the second round of the Schenkel E-Z-Go (March 18-19) and matched it in the first round of the Hootie at Bulls Bay Intercollegiate (March 26-28).