Aug. 12, 2007

GRANITEVILLE, S.C. – Three University of South Carolina golfers finished in the top-20 over the weekend in the 32nd annual Palmetto Amateur, played at the par-70 Midland Valley Country Club. Junior Allen Koon (Bamberg) led the way by finishing second at two-under, the highest finish at the state amateur championship since 2005 when Warren Thomas also finished second.

Koon carded a 63-69-73-73=278 and finished three strokes behind tournament winner Luke Hopkins. Koon entered the final round with a four-shot lead, but a double-bogey and bogey in the final five holes dropped him behind Hopkins, who recorded eight birdies in the final round to shoot five-under.

Sophomore Patrick Rada finished tied for eight after shooting even par Sunday. The Anderson native shot a 73-71-70-70=284 (+4) in the tournament.

Redshirt junior Patrick Cunning (Aiken) fired a four-round 68-74-73-70=285 (+5) to place in a tie for 11th overall.

Junior Baker Elmore rebounded from a difficult third round and shot a 71-73-78-73=295 (+15). Elmore (Cheraw) finished tied for 42nd.