May 31, 2003
STILLWATER, Okla. – After helping lead the Georgia Tech golf team to a tie for 11th place at the 2003 NCAA Championship, Yellow Jacket senior Troy Matteson and sophomore Nicholas Thompson were among the honorees at the NCAA’s Post-Tournament Awards banquet on Friday night. Both were named to Golf Coaches Association of America All-America teams, while Matteson was named the recipient of the Byron Nelson Award and as a GCAA All-America Scholar.
Matteson garnered first-team All-America honors for the second-straight year and in the process became the fifth Tech player to earn the accolades three times in their career, while being the fourth to be named to the first team twice. Along with the All-America recognition, Matteson was named as the recipient of the Cleveland Golf Byron Nelson Award, given annually to a graduating senior, recognizing his athletic and academic achievements during his career. Matteson capped an outstanding career at the NCAA Championship as he completed his four years with a 71.91 stroke average, the fourth best in school history, behind only Bryce Molder, David Duval, and Matt Kuchar. His 71.22 average in 2003 was the eighth best in program history and led the Jackets this season. His academic achievement was also noted as he was named as a GCAA All-America Scholar for the second-straight year.
“I’m very happy to see Troy be named as a first-team All-American for the second-straight year and especially pleased to see him recognized with the Byron Nelson Award,” said Tech head coach Bruce Heppler. “Troy has been the consummate student-athlete during his career. It had been a long time since anyone from Georgia Tech had won the NCAA Championship and he did that last year. He did as much as Matt (Kuchar) and Bryce (Molder) in his four years and that’s saying a lot with the careers those two guys had.”
Thompson was named as an honorable-mention All-American for the second-straight year, by virtue of his performance at the NCAA Championship at the Karsten Creek Golf Club in Stillwater, Okla. The second-year performer finished in a tie for 12th place with a 72-hole total of 77-77-72-70-296, playing the final 36 holes in 2-under-par. Thompson finished the year second on the team with a 72.72 stroke average in 2003 and his career scoring mark of 72.76 is the sixth best in the history of the program.
“For Nick to be able to play himself into earning All-America honors for the second-straight year is a great accomplishment,” said Heppler. “He has been able to put together two great years and I think the way he played at the NCAAs this year, especially over the final 36 holes is certainly something that he can build on for next year.”
A full list of honorees at the 2003 NCAA Championship Awards Banquet can be found at www.collegiategolf.com.
