Aug. 4, 2000

Samford lost three seniors to graduation in May - Nate Hicks, Wilson Moore and Jay Womack - but still should have plenty of firepower to play well this year.

They will be led by junior Russell Kelly, who transferred from Spring Hill College in Mobile in January of 2000. Kelly, who was an NAIA First Team All-American his freshman year at Spring Hill, immediately established himself as the No. 1 player on the Bulldogs roster in the spring. His summer has been highlighted by a top-10 finish in the Alabama State Amateur Championhsip held in June at Willow Point Golf & Country Club. We expect great things from Russell this year.

Junior Mike Clements was the only ever-present player last year for the Bulldogs (along with the graduated Hicks), playing in all nine tournaments, with his score counting in every single round. He brings an exemplary work ethic to the team and is as dedicated a player as has ever carried the Samford golf bag.

Fifth-year senior Cannon Prickett from Eustis, Fla. will return for his final year and is expected to see some playing time.

Last fall Samford introduced four new players - freshmen Jace Gordon, Stephen Twelkemeier, Seth Mobley and Brax Watkins. Unfortunately Watkins broke a rib just prior to the semester beginning and was unable to play in the fall. He ended up being reshirted for his freshman year. He is ready to go this fall and is expected to become a solid member of the team. Also expected to have an impact is walk-on Carl "Bud" Miller IV. A senior at Samford, he previously played on Tim Parenton's baseball team, but has decided this year to dedicate himslef to making the golf team. Miller has had some solid performances over the summer in various invitational tournaments.

Gordon, Mobley and Twelkemeier are yet to play their best golf for Samford and will have to fight hard for their place on the team.

Samford also debuted two new coaches - head coach Mark Ware and his assistant Ian Thompson - in August 1999. They took over from Coach Leon Davis, who retired after five years at the helm. Both Ware (1986-89) and Thompson (1989-1993) are former players for the Bulldogs and are enjoying the continuing challenge of leading the Samford men's golf team. Thompson is also the head coach of the women's team.

Both coaches are very excited about their two incoming freshmen. Andy McRae is coming from Hoover High School, where he has had a fine golfing career. This summer has been a good one for Andy as he finished in the top 30 at the Alabama Open and T-2 at the Alabama Golf Association State Junior Championship, as well as some other solid performances.

Charlie Gibson hails from Brentwood, near Nashville, Tenn., and is also highly regarded. He also finished second in his state's (Tennessee) boys championship and recently qualified for the 100th U.S. Amateur Championship. This is believed to be the first time that a Samford golfer has ever qualified for a U.S.G.A. Championship. He fired scores of 70-65--135 to qualify at Colonial (Memphis) Country Club. Both Gibson and McRae will have an immediate impact on the Bulldogs team this fall.

Coaches Ware and Thompson are equally excited about hosting next year's Men's TAAC Golf Championship. This will be a first for Samford and they are justly proud about this honor. The challenging Tradition Course at StillWaters Resort in Dadeville, near Auburn, Ala. will be the host of the championship, April 23-25.

TEAM FINISHES

FALL 1999

* Average Team Score: 310 (5 tournaments, 13 rounds)

* Low Team Score: 290 (Hicks, Clements, Mobley & Moore/Stetson)

* Average Individual Score: 77.5 (52 rounds)

* Low Individual Score: 223 (Mike Clements/Stetson)

Georgia State: 321-306--627 (14/14)

Chattanooga: 315-307-313--935 (13/15)

Austin Peay: 316-318--634 (T8/9)

Lousiana Tech: 305-318-309--932 (10/11)

Stetson: 304-290-306--900 (T10/14)

SPRING 2000

* Average Team Score: 305.5 (4 tournaments, 10 rounds)

* Low Team Score: 298 (Womack, Hicks, Clements & Kelly/TAAC)

* Average Individual Score: 77.4 (49 rounds)

* Low Individual Score: 220 (Russell Kelly/Kauai/T14)

* Low Individual Finish: 72 (Wilson Moore/Jax. State/T2)

Emerald Coast: 317-302-319--938 (T12/15)

Kauai Collegiate: 311-299-300--910 (10/11)

Jacksonville State: 299 (1/17)

TAAC: 299-311-298--908 (7/10)