March 27, 2007

MOBILE, Ala. - The University of Memphis men's golf team concluded the final round of the USA Spring Golf Classic today. Memphis placed sixth in the 12-team field tournament and shot an 865, placing two players in the top-20.

The Tigers finished first in par three scoring, where they averaged a 3.12 (+7). Memphis averaged a 4.18 (+27) in par four scoring and a 4.70 (-18) in par five scoring. They led the tournament in birdies with 59, and tallied 2 eagles and 144 pars.

Ian Rochester put on a stellar performance at the tournament, where he led the Tigers. The junior finished in second place, just three strokes shy of winning the tournament. Rochester shot a 9-under-par score of 207 and shot a consistent 69 in all three rounds. He also earned a spot on the leader board in many categories, reporting a 3.97 (-1) average in par four scoring, and shot 14 birdies. The Cordova, Tenn. native led the tournament in par five scoring with an average of 4.25 (-9).

Robbie Greenwell was the other Tiger to finish in the top-20, where he tied for 15th place. The junior shot an even 216, with his best performance in the final round. Greenwell shot a 68 in the final round, 73 in the second and a 75 in the second round. He shot 14 birdies and averaged an even 3.00 on par three scoring.

Tiger freshman Brandon Bunn tied for 28th in the tournament, shooting a 4-over-par score of 220. Bunn performed as an individual. His best performance was in the final round, where he shot a 71, with a 73 in the first round and a 76 in the second round.

Brad Benjamin and Jeff Hall tied for 34th in the tournament, where they each shot a 7-over par score of 223. Each scored a 72 in the final round. Benjamin tallied 13 birdies in the tournament, which earned him a spot on the leader board.

Freshman Mark Trow tied for 44th in the tournament, where he shot an 11-over-par score of 227. Trow put on a solid performance in the final round, scoring a 73 in the final round. The freshman scored a 75 in the first round and a 79 in the second round.

University of Tennessee-Chattanooga took home the tournament trophy, reporting an 847. Southeastern Louisiana and South Alabama tied for second, shooting an 859. The individual medalist was Derek Rende from Chattanooga, shooting a 12-under-par score of 204.

Results
6 Memphis 865 (291-293-281)
2 Ian Rochester 207 (69-69-69)
T15 Robbie Greenwell 216 (73-75-68)
T28 Brandon Bunn 220 (73-76-71)
T34 Brad Benjamin 223 (79-72-72)
T34 Jeff Hall 223 (74-77-72)
T44 Mark Trow 227 (75-79-73)