Oct. 28, 2011

Tournament Notes

COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina men’s golf team will wrap up its fall schedule this weekend at the Bridgestone Golf Collegiate hosted by UNC Greensboro.

The 15-team field will play 36-holes on Saturday and 18 on Sunday at Forest Oaks Country Club in Greensboro, N.C. The course features a par-72, 7,212-yard layout.

The Gamecocks look to build on the success they had at the Rees Jones Invitational earlier this month, where they finished second with rounds of 305-293-300=898 (+34). South Carolina had two golfers finish in the top 10, as freshman Sean Kelly claimed third with a score of 220 (+4) and junior Dykes Harbin tied for seventh with a score of 222 (+6).

“That was a great tournament for us,” South Carolina head coach Bill McDonald said. “It was nice to be in the hunt again and have a chance to win. I think it gave us some momentum. The guys have worked really hard the last three weeks, and we are excited about the Bridgestone Golf Collegiate.”

South Carolina will use its fourth different lineup of the season this weekend. Senior Wesley Bryan, Harbin, sophomore Blaine Woodruff, freshman Will Murphy and Kelly are slated to compete at Forest Oaks. Murphy is making his first career appearance.

Kelly has made a huge impact for the Gamecocks in just two tournaments this season. The Staten Island, N.Y., native has been Carolina’s top finisher in both events and he currently leads the team with a scoring average of 73. Kelly is also tied for the team lead in rounds under par (three), lowest 18-hole score (69) and lowest 54-hole score (218).

“He was really motivated by the fact that he didn’t qualify for our first event,” McDonald said of Kelly. “He’s very focused when he is playing and practicing. I’m really proud of him. Sean is one of those kids that has just fit right into the program. He handles every situation very maturely for a freshman.”

The Gamecocks are making their first appearance in the Bridgestone Golf Collegiate, which is in its seventh season. Forest Oaks Country Club will provide a stiff challenge for the field, as it has been PGA Tour tested. The course hosted a PGA event from 1977-2007.

“It’s a good golf course,” McDonald said. “Forest Oaks hosted the Greater Greensboro Open for years. I’ve heard great things about it. Davis Love III redesigned it a few years ago. I think the combination of the golf course, the field and the fact that we have our fourth different lineup will make it an interesting weekend.”

South Carolina will compete against 14 teams this weekend. Defending tournament champion North Carolina returns, as well as ACC foes North Carolina State and Virginia Tech. Kentucky, Mississippi and Mississippi State will represent the SEC, while Iowa State, Michigan and Purdue make up the Big 10 contingent. Also competing are Georgia State, Pepperdine, Toledo, UNC Greensboro and VCU.

First-round play begins on Saturday at 8:30 a.m. with a shotgun start. Live scoring will be available at golfstatresults.com.