June 2, 2001
Durham, N.C. – The second-ranked Georgia Tech men’s golf team battled over the final two rounds to record its third top-four finish in the past four seasons by placing fourth at the NCAA Men’s Golf Championships. The 72-hole event was contested at the 7,086-yard, par-72 Duke University Golf Club in Durham, N.C.
In the completion of play for the third round, the Yellow Jackets found a groove and carded a team round of 6-under-par, 282 and found themselves alone in fourth place after 54 holes of play. Tech was 7-over-par as a team when play was suspended on Friday and turned it around to shoot 8-under-par to complete the round. The Florida Gators had the top round of the tournament in the third round by firing an 11-under-par, 277 to catch Arizona at 13-under-par for the 54-hole lead.
During the final round, Tech carded a team round of 3-under-par, 285 and finished the tournament at 4-under-par, 289-292-282-285-1148. That total put the Jackets well off of the blistering pace of NCAA team champion Florida, which scorched the course for a final-round score of 13-under-par, 275, to complete play with an impressive score of 26-under-par, 296-278-277-275-1126. The Gators captured their fourth national title, winning the event by 18 shots.
“I’m very happy with my team,” said Tech head coach Bruce Heppler. “We went out this morning and played the last six holes at eight under par to get back in the tournament and then we played well in the afternoon. I am very proud of how my guys fought today, it is a lot better than it was 24 hours ago.”
Tech’s individuals in the field were led in the final standings by junior Kris Mikkelsen, who turned in one of the best performances of his career, placing in a tie for fourth place at 7-under-par, 66-72-72-71-281. That total will ensure Mikkelsen a spot on the Golf Coaches Association of America All-America team for the first time in his career. He finished five shots behind individual medalist Nick Gilliam of Florida, who won with a four-day score of 12-under-par, 69-70-66-71-276.
Mikkelsen was joined in the top 10 by senior Bryce Molder, who was one of three players tied for eighth place at 4-under-par, 73-72-66-73-284. Molder finished the 2001 season with a stroke average of 69.43, and a career stroke average of 70.67, both of which are NCAA all-time bests.
“Bryce is the epitome of a student-athlete,” said Heppler. “He played well, didn’t win the tournament but his 66 in the third round got us back in it. It has been an honor to coach the greatest player in the history of collegiate golf. I am a very fortunate guy.”
Following Molder in the individual race was sophomore Troy Matteson, who placed 27th, with his 72-hole score of, 1-over-par, 74-76-69-70-289. Senior Wes Latimer closed out his Yellow Jacket career with a 59th-place finish following a score of 76-72-77-74-299, and rounding out the Yellow Jacket contingent was junior Matt Weibring, who close with his best round of the tournament to place 63rd at 76-78-75-71-300.
The Yellow Jackets finish the year with five team titles, including the Atlantic Coast Conference championship, and the programs eighth top-10 finish at the NCAA Championships.
FINAL TEAM STANDINGS
1. Florida 296-278-277-275-1126
2. Clemson 294-289-279-282-1144
3. Arizona 280-289-282-294-1145
4. Georgia Tech 289-292-282-285-1148
5. Georgia 296-284-286-286-1152
6. Arizona State 298-288-289-287-1162
7. Augusta State 292-288-285-299-1164
8. Virginia Tech 294-291-285-295-1165
9. East Tennessee State 293-289-292-293-1167
10. Wake Forest 294-282-297-295-1168
11. Pacific 299-291-295-292-1177
12. Oklahoma 294-291-297-297-1179
12. Oregon State 295-295-293-296-1179
12. UAB 297-289-300-293-1179
15. SMU 298-289-299-304-1190
