Oct. 11, 2003
Complete Release in PDF Format
Download Free Acrobat Reader
STORYLINE: The No. 12 UNLV men's golf team returns to the East for the third time this fall, this time to play in the Jerry Pate National Intercollegiate. Hosted by the University of Alabama and played at the historic Old Overton Course (Par 71, 6,958 Yards) in Birmingham, Ala., the tournament begins on Monday, Oct. 13 with 36 holes and concludes with a final 18 holes on Tuesday, Oct. 14.
ABOUT UNLV: The Rebels return six letterwinners and four starters from last season's team that finished 13th nationally. Head coach Dwaine Knight is in his 17th year in the valley. Along with its four returning starters, the Rebels boast a large six-man class of newcomers with a wealth of success at the junior level. Junior Ryan Moore has earned All-America honors twice, and Travis Whisman was an All-West Region selection last year.
THE JERRY PATE: An annual favorite for the Rebels, this will mark the 12th straight season UNLV has competed in the prestigious event. Although it has never won in Birmingham, Jeremy Anderson took medalist honors there in 1999. Last year, UNLV tied for fourth place and Ryan Moore sat just one stroke off the lead when rain forced the cancellation of the tourney's final round.
THE FIELD: The University of Alabama hosts a talented 12-team field that boasts 10 teams ranked in the top 25: UAB, Arizona, Auburn, Augusta State, Clemson, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Oklahoma State, Texas, Wake Forest and UNLV.
THE LINEUP: UNLV's five-man lineup will consist of JC Deacon, Sam Hunt, Ryan Keeney, Ryan Moore and Travis Whisman.
MORE ON MOORE: Junior star Ryan Moore could possibly be the best player in college golf this year, and certainly one of the most heralded. The two-time All-American has a chance to join former Rebel and current PGA veteran Chris Riley as UNLV's only four-time All-Americans. The Puyallup, Wash., native was a finalist for the Hogan Award last season, presented annually to the top collegiate player in men's golf. He was also selected to the U.S. Walker Cup team, the U.S. Palmer Cup squad and collected his first collegiate victory at home in the Toyota Men's Collegiate Championship. At 20, Moore has already played in two PGA major championships -- the U.S. Open and The Masters. And he was chosen as the UNLV Olympic Sportsman of the Year for the second straight season.
HEAD COACH Dwaine Knight: UNLV men's golf head coach Dwaine Knight is in his 17th year at the helm of the Rebel program. During his tenure, UNLV has been a perennial power with six league championships, 14 NCAA finals appearances and the 1998 national title. The 2002 MWC Coach of the Year was the only mentor to twice claim GCAA National Coach of the Year honors in the 1990s (1991 and 1998). He has produced an amazing 31 All-Americans and guided six different players to the PGA Tour at UNLV.
