May 15, 2006

LAS VEGAS - Former UNLV golfers have increasingly pushed their names up PGA leaderboards the last few seasons but this weekend's EDS Byron Nelson Championship marked a new milestone for the program's prestigious alumni as an unprecedented three Rebels finished among the top eight at the $6.2 million tour stop.

Playing at the TPC Four Seasons Resort in Irving, Texas, Adam Scott (UNLV letterwinner in 1998-99) led for the first three rounds before settling for a tie for third place on Sunday en route to a pay day of $359,600. Veteran Chad Campbell (1994-96) came in fifth to capture his fifth top-five finish this season ($248,000). And quickly emerging Charley Hoffman (1995-99) tied for a career-high eighth ($167,400).

"It was an exciting weekend for the UNLV golf program," 19th-year head coach Dwaine Knight said. "It's fun every Monday to pick up the newspaper and see Rebels doing well all over the world."

Knight, who this week will lead his team to the NCAA East Regional in Orlando, said Rebel golf has gotten a lot of national face time as of late.

"All of the success (on tour) is a big shot in the arm for this program. The name recognition that our university and team receives is tremendous. Having TV announcers talk about your program over the course of a weekend is publicity you just can't buy."

The increased success is measured not just in high finishes, however, as no less than six Rebel alums have won money on the PGA Tour this season. Campbell, who will be inducted into the UNLV Athletic Hall of Fame this fall, already has one tour victory in 2006 and stands sixth overall among the PGA's Money Leaders with more than $2.3 million to date. Scott's three top-10 finishes put him 17th with more than $1.5 million while Hoffman, who is enjoying his first full year on tour, is now 61st with more than $550,000 in winnings this season.