Sept. 21, 2004

WACO - Freshman Dawie Van Der Walt claimed medalist honors and the Lamar men's golf team held off Texas-Arlington to win the team title Tuesday at the 2004 Baylor Invitational at Bear Ridge Golf Club.

Van Der Walt, a native of Cape Town, South Africa, fired a career-best 6-under 66 on Tuesday for a 54-hole score of 9-under 207 on the 7,250-yard course. He posted rounds of 71 and 70 on Monday. After tying for ninth place at the UNC-Greensboro Intercollegiate last week, Van Der Walt has posted top 10 finishes in his first two collegiate tournaments. Jeremy Alcorn of Baylor finished second at 6-under 210.

Lamar, who held a 15-stroke following Monday's first two rounds, posted a final round 4-over 292 for a 54-hole score of 5-under 859. Texas-Arlington and Baylor both closed with 4-under 284. The Mavericks finished second at 866 and the host Bears were third at 872.

"It feels great to finally win another tournament," said Lamar coach Brad McMakin, referring to the Cardinals last win at the 2003 Southland Conference Championships. "The guys have the experience of winning a tournament, which is an invaluable experience. This is going to be a big confidence boost for the team.

"I'm really proud of the way the guys played all week. Our fourth and fifth players both posted top 10 finishes this week. That's the kind of depth you need to win tournaments."

Sophomore Dusty Smith, who was tied for the individual leader entering Tuesday's final round, closed with a final round 77. He tied for fifth at even-par 216. Sophomore Ryan Kornmann fired a final round even-par 72 and tied for eighth, his best finish as a Cardinal, at 1-over 217.

Senior Andre Metzger and sophomore Casey Clendenon both shot final round 77s. Metzger tied for 18th at 221 and Clendenon tied for 41st at 234. Senior Shawn Stefani, who was playing as an individual, tied for 25th at 224.

Lamar continues its fall schedule Oct. 4-5 at the SMU Stonebridge Invitational.