OOLTEWAH, Tenn. (June 12) — The U.S. team took a 5-3 Saturday after the first day of the 1999 Palmer Cup, which pits the Americans’ top collegians against counterparts from Great Britian and Ireland. The third annual summer event is being staged at The Honors Course in Ooltewah, just outside of Chattanooga.
Tech’s Bryce Molder (Conway, Ark.) teamed with John Engler of Clemson to best Michael Hoey (Clemson) and Johnny Foster in four-ball competition 4-and-3 in the morning round. Tech’s Matt Kuchar (Lake Mary, Fla.) teamed with former high school teammate and UNLV team member Jeremy Anderson, but lost to NCAA Champion Luke Donald (Northwestern) and Phillip Rowe, 4-and-3.
In the afternoon alternate shot competition, roommates Molder and Kuchar teamed together, but fell to Donald and Max Harris (North Carolina), 2-and-1.
The duo will have a chance to help the U.S. retain the Palmer Cup Sunday for a third straight year, as two rounds of singles matches will be contested. Kuchar begins play at 8 a.m. vs. Rowe and at 8:16 a.m., Molder tees off against Hoey. The fourth round will begin at 1:30 p.m.
The Palmer Cup is sponsored by the Arnold Palmer Golf Company and the Golf Coaches Association of America. The U.S. won the first cup at the Bay Hill Golf Club in 1997 and last year defended the title at the Old and New Courses in St. Andrews, Scotland. Molder sank a clutch 10-foot birdie putt on the last hole of regulation to keep the cup for America.
