Men's Golf Finishes 13th in Season Opening Tournament

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Sept. 13, 1998

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn.–The University of Virginia golf team opened its 1998 fall season by finishing 13th in a 14-team field at the inaugural Ridges Intercollegiate at The Ridges Golf and Country Club in Johnson City, Tenn. The tournament, one of the best of the fall season, featured 10 nationally ranked teams and 11 of the top-25 golfers from the MasterCard preseason poll.

Clemson swept both the team and medalist honors in the season opening tournament. The Tigers, who came into the final round with a two-shot lead, posted a final round 283 to post a five-stroke win over Georgia Tech.

Clemson’s Jonathan Byrd tallied his second consecutive 70 this afternoon to win medalist honors by one stroke over teammate Lucas Glover. Byrd finished with a 9-under par 207 (67-70-70).

The Cavaliers began today’s final round in 14th place, but shot a 292 this afternoon to crawl out of the cellar. Virginia fired a 54-hole total of 895 (301-302-292) and just barely finished out of the running for the top 10. North Carolina finished 10th at 887.

James Driscoll and Cameron Yancey were Virginia’s low men. They tied for 32nd place with a 5-over par 221. Yancey’s 69 this afternoon was the best round by a Cavalier in the tournament.

Freshman Steve Marino finished in a tie for 59th at 228, while Mike Mitchell finished 64th at 231 and Jimmy Forehand finished tied for 68th at 234. Freshman Shep Stevens competed as an individual and finished tied for 65th at 233.

Team Results                                       Individual Results    1. Clemson 844 (274-287-283)                1. Jonathan Byrd, Clemson 207(-9)    2. Georgia Tech    849 (280-283-286)        2. Lucas Glover, Clemson   208    3. Oklahoma    860 (286                     3. Bryce Molder, Ga. Tech  210    4. Florida 862 (287-283-292)                   Andy Sanders, Houston   210    5. LSU 867 (286-289-292)                    5. Alberto Ochoa, TCU  211       Texas   867 (291-293-283)                   Carlton Forrester, Ga. Tech 211    7. Houston 872 (295-288-289)                7. Grady Girard, TCU   212       TCU 872 (293-286-293)                       Nick Gilliam, Florida   212    9. East Tennessee St.  873 (291-292-290)       Kelsey Cline, Oklahoma  212   10. North Carolina  887 (299-291-297)       10. Jeremy Wilkinson, LSU   213   11. Auburn  890 (305-288-297)                   Pate Beste, East Tennessee  213   12. Wake Forest 891 (296-302-293)               Brandon Huffman, Texas  213   13. Virginia    895 (301-302-292)           13. Brett Hitchcock, Ga. Tech   214   14. Purdue  905 (301-300-304)               14. Matt Kuchar, Ga. Tech   215                                                   Scott Weatherly, Auburn 215                                                   Simon Lacey, Florida    215                                                   Don Hill, North Carolina    215                                                   Hunter Haas, Oklahoma   215                                                   John Engler, Clemson    215