March 4, 2003
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STORYLINE: The UNLV men's golf team makes its first and only home appearance of the season this week as it plays host to 14 of the nation's finest collegiate golf teams at the Toyota Men's Collegiate Golf Championship. The 54-hole tournament is slated for Friday, March 7 through Sunday, March 9 at Southern Highlands Golf Club (Par 72--7,381 Yards), the Home of the Rebels. Play will begin at 8:00 a.m. PST daily, with a single 18-hole round scheduled for each day. A practice round will be played on Thursday, March 6 with a 9:00 a.m. shotgun start. Admission to the event is free and credentials are not required.
ABOUT UNLV: UNLV slipped a bit in the national rankings despite a fourth-place finish in its last outing. The Rebels peaked at No. 2 in the Golfweek/Sagarin Performance Index, but dropped to fifth in this week's rankings. Four starters and six letterwinners return from last season's MWC Championship team, led by sophomore All-American Ryan Moore, currently ranked 16th by Golfweek. UNLV has not finished worse than fourth in any of its five tournaments this season.
THE TOURNAMENT: The Toyota Men's Collegiate Championship has weathered three name changes, numerous venue shifts and a wide variety of participants in its 29-year history. Arizona State has enjoyed the most success since the tourney began in 1974, boasting seven team titles and seven individual medalists. Top-ranked Georgia Tech captured last year's team crown while the Yellow Jackets' Troy Matteson shared medalist honors with Florida's Camilo Villegas. UNLV has won its host event five times.
THE FIELD: All 15 teams competing in the Toyota Men's Collegiate Championship are ranked in Golfweek's top 35, including the top five teams and eight of the top 10. UNLV plays host to: (28) Alabama, (8) Arizona, (33) Arizona State, (2) Augusta State, (1) Clemson, (4) Florida, (19) Georgia, (14) Georgia Tech, (9) Minnesota, (15) New Mexico, (23) North Carolina State, (12) Oklahoma State, (3) TCU, (7) Texas, (5) UNLV.
THE LINEUP: Seven Rebels will see tourney action this week. UNLV's lineup consists of senior Brien Davis, sophomores J.C. Deacon, Ryan Moore and Travis Whisman, and freshman Ryan Posey. Troy Denton and Mitch Carlson will compete as individuals.
HEAD COACH DWAINE KNIGHT: UNLV men's golf head coach Dwaine Knight begins his 16th year at the helm of the Rebel program. During his tenure, UNLV has been a perennial power with six league championships, 13 NCAA finals appearances and the 1998 national title. Last year's 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 30 All-Americans and guided five different players to the PGA Tour.
