Men's Golf Captures Golf Digest Collegiate Invitational Title

Story Links

March 15, 1998

LAS VEGAS, NEV. – The University of Virginia golf team rebounded from two disappointing spring tournaments by winning the 54-hole Golf Digest Collegiate Invitational at the Desert Inn Golf Club in Las Vegas, Nev., today.

The Cavaliers began today’s final round with a 6-stroke lead over Clemson and made the lead stand by firing a 1-over par 289 this afternoon to win by 10 strokes. Virginia was the lone school to finish under par. The Cavaliers fired a 9-under par 855 (283-283-289) and finished 10 strokes ahead of Texas Christian.

Cavalier sophomore James Driscoll won his first collegiate title with a scintillating performance. He finished with a 9-under par 207 (69-64-74), one stroke better than New Mexico’s Doug LaBelle. Driscoll fired a career-low 64 yesterday to tie Tom Kite’s course record.

Freshman Cameron Yancey joined Driscoll in turning in a career-best performance. Yancey finished third, three strokes behind his sophomore teammate. Yancey finished with a 6-under par 210 (68-70-72). His 68 in Friday’s opening round is his collegiate low.

Junior Lewis Chitengwa also turned in a fine performance by finishing 13th with an even-par 216 (73-72-71) for his best finish this spring.

“This win is a very special win for us,” said Virginia head coach Mike Moraghan. “We’ve practiced real hard and all that work clearly paid off on the course the past few days. We put ourselves in good position early and kept the heat up. The Golf Digest Collegiate is a highly regarded event and we’re thrilled to have finished on top.”

“I had a real good tournament,” said individual champion James Driscoll. “Most of all, I’m excited that the team will go back to Virginia with the trophy in our hands. As far as tying the course record goes, I wasn’t giving it much thought. I guess it’s pretty amazing considering the caliber of players who appear here at the Las Vegas Invitational.”

Team Results                                    Top 10 Individuals        Team      Score                         Player, School    Score      1.    Virginia                855  (-9)   1.  James Driscoll, Virginia        207 (-9)(69-64-74)      2.    Texas Christian         865         2.  Doug LaBelle, New Mexico        208 (67-70-71)      3.    UNLV                    867         3.  Cameron Yancey, Virginia        210 (68-70-72)      4.    Clemson                 870         4.  J.J. Henry, Texas Christian     211 (70-73-68)      5.    Southern Methodist      873         5.  Steve Scott, Florida            212 (72-70-70)      6.    Florida                 875         6.  Hank Kuehne, So. Methodist.     213 (70-72-71)      7.    Arizona State           883             Jeremy Anderson, UNLV           213 (68-71-74)      8.    Wake Forest             884             Grady Girard, Texas Christian.  213 (72-72-69)      9.    Houston                 885             Charles Howell, Oklahoma St.    213 (72-71-70)      10.   Oklahoma State          886         10. Jonathan Byrd, Clemson.         214 (65-69-80)            East Tennessee State    886                  12.   New Mexico              887          Other Virginia Golfers:      13.   Pepperdine              889          T13 Lewis Chitengwa   216   (73-72-71)            Texas                   889          T39 Andrea Brotto     224   (73-79-72)      15.   Southern California     900          T73 Mike Mitchell