Dawgs at Final Stage of Q-School

The six round marathon that is the final stage of the PGA Tour's Q School has begun at PGA West in La Quinta, CA.  There are eight former Bulldogs in the field of 172 trying to secure one of the 25 PGA Tour cards up for grabs.

The tournament is being played for the second consecutive year on the Nicklaus Tournament and Stadium courses at PGA West.

After the first round of play, Erik Compton was the low Bulldog after round one.  Compton sits in a tie for 9th at 5 under, thanks to a first round 67 on the Stadium Course.  Bryden Macpherson is tied for 20th at 4 under, Brendon Todd and Hudson Swafford are both tied for 50th at 2 under, Kevin Kisner is tied for 82nd at 1 under, Richard Scott and Scott Parel are tied for 136th at 1 over and Paul Claxton is tied for 169th at 6 over par.

Erik Compton                    T9      -5   Stadium Course
Bryden Macpherson          T20    -4  Nicklaus Course
Brendon Todd                   T50    -2  Stadium Course
Hudson Swafford              T50    -2  Nicklaus Course
Kevin Kisner                     T82    -1  Nicklaus Course
Richard Scott                    T136  +1 Stadium Course
Scott Parel                        T136  +1  Nicklaus Course
Paul Claxton                     T169  +6  Stadium Course

The second of six rounds of play takes place today and the scoring can be followed live at www.pgatour.com

Golfers Davis, Derby, Sigg Sign With Bulldogs

Three of the country's top prospects have signed national letters of intent with the Georgia men's golf team, according to an announcement by Bulldogs coach Chris Haack.

Georgians Parker Derby and Greyson Sigg and Texan Branson Davis will enroll and compete for the Bulldogs in 2013-14.

"We've added three fine prospects to our program, and we're excited about what they will add both academically and athletically," Haack said. "Parker, Greyson and Branson are excellent golfers and hard workers, and they should come in and compete for playing time right away. We're thrilled that they're going to be Bulldogs."

Davis is a native of McKinney, Texas, and attends McKinney Boyd High School. He is 13th in the American Junior Golf Association's Polo Golf Rankings. Davis earned Honorable Mention Rolex All-America honors in 2011 and he was a Second-Team All-American in 2012. He won the AJGA's Hunter Mahan Championship in 2011 and the Goodman Networks Junior Championship at Traditions in 2012. Davis was a United States Junior quarterfinalist and went 3-1 for the West Wyndham Cup Team earlier this year.

Derby, a native of Columbus, was named First-Team Rolex All-American in 2011 and earned Honorable Mention status in 2012. He won the 2011 Bobby Chapman Invitational and was the runner-up in the Polo Invitational, the Frederica Open and the Bubba Conlee National. Derby has participated in eight AJGA invitationals and competed in the 2012 Junior Open Championship in England. He attends Brookstone in Columbus and he helped the Cougars win Class A state titles in 2010, 2011 and 2012. Derby earned medalist honors at the 2012 state tournament and was named the State Player of the Year. He also was All-State in 2011 and 2012 and was All-District and All-Bi-City in 2010, 2011 and 2012. 

Sigg is a native of Augusta and he competes for Richmond Academy. He was chosen as the 2011 Georgia State Golf Association Junior Player of the Year after winning the Georgia Junior State Championship. Sigg was the runner-up in the Georgia Junior State Championship earlier this year. He was selected to compete for the East Team in the 2012 AJGA Wyndham Cup. Sigg has competed in such prestigious tournaments as the United States Junior Amateur, the Sage Valley Invitational, the Junior Jones Cup, the Rolex Tournament of Champions, the Footjoy Invitational, the Junior Players Championship, the Palmetto Amateur and the Georgia Amateur.

Bulldogs at Q-school

The final stage of The PGA Tour's Q-School will begin on November 28th in LaQuinta, CA at PGA West.  Four Bulldogs just secured their place in the field by advancing out of the second stage of qualifying of Q School.

Kevin Kisner and Richard Scott both advanced out of Redstone Golf CLub in Humble, TX.  Kisner finished third at 13 under while Scott finished on the number to advance tying for 18th at 7 under.

Erik Compton advanced from Hombre Golf Club in Panama City, FL by tying for 8th at 8 under.

Bryden Macpherson tied for 13th at 6 under par to advance from Bear Creek Golf Club in Murrieta, CA to secure his first appearance in final stage of Q-School.

Kisner, Scott, Compton, and Macpherson will be joined at the final stage by Hudson Swafford, Paul Claxton, Scott Parel, and Brendon Todd.

Complete coverage of Q School can be found at www.pgatour.com

Erik Compton and Freshman Lee McCoay

Former Bulldog Erik Compton Receives Zaharias Award

Compton, a two-time heart transplant recipient, was selected for the Mildred "Babe" Didrikson Zaharias Courage Award by the United States Sports Academy. The award is given to a person who shows courage in overcoming adversity to excel in sport.

Zaharias, among the greatest ever in LPGA Tour history, won her 10th and final major one month after surgery for colon cancer in 1953.

"She did something that I've never dream of doing — winning a major," Compton said. "I guess I have dreamed, but it just hasn't come true yet."

Compton received his first heart transplant at age 12. After his playing days at Georgia, Compton was selected to compete on the Walker Cup team in 2001. He had a major heart attack in 2008, drove himself to the hospital and was fortunate to survive before getting a second heart transplant.

Along with playing a full schedule of 25 tournaments on The PGA Tour this season, Compton has been on a campaign to raise awareness for organ donations through "Donate Life" and a program called "Play Through with Erik Compton."

"Being able to do the hospital, being able to educate the local communities, even being able to speak to some of the doctors and the patients, it's just been a great year," Compton said. "I feel that my calling off the golf course will continue to grow even after my playing days are done. So you know, it started with the two lives that I have. On and off the golf course it's very comforting and I feel very confident of what I've done and what I'm able to do as a person."

Spotlight on Freshman Lee McCoy

 

http://www.georgiadogs.com/sports/m-golf/spec-rel/111512aab.html

Haack To Be Inducted Into Golf Coaches Hall Of Fame



On December 10th, Coach Chris Haack will become the third Bulldog Golf Coach inducted into the Golf Coaches Hall of Fame

 Georgia's Chris Haack will be inducted into the Golf Coaches Association of America's Hall of Fame later this year, according to an announcement Wednesday by the GCAA.

Haack, who is in his 17th year with the Bulldogs, has guided Georgia to two NCAA and seven SEC championships. He has a school-record 48 team titles, including at least one tournament victory in 15 of his 17 seasons.

Haack is the third Georgia coach chosen for the Hall of Fame. Howell Hollis (1946-70) was inducted in 1981 and Dick Copas (1971-96) was inducted in 1993.

"I cannot put into words how humbled I am by this selection," Haack said. "To be in the company of so many giants of our game is such an honor. Coach Hollis and Coach Copas laid the foundation for this program, and I've just tried to be a good steward. We as coaches are only as successful as our athletes, and I've had the distinct pleasure of coaching some pretty special guys. I've also had tremendous assistant coaches in Jim Douglas, Ryan Hybl and Jason Payne. This is an honor that I share with all of them. I just appreciate them taking me along for the ride."

Haack was chosen as the National Coach of the Year in 1999 and 2005 after guiding the Bulldogs to the program's only NCAA titles. He has been picked as the SEC Coach of the Year five times, most recently in 2010. Haack has produced 51 All-Americans, including at least one in 15 straight seasons, and 53 All-SEC performers. He has coached one National Player of the Year, four SEC Players of the Year and seven SEC Freshmen of the Year. Haack added the title of Director of Golf earlier this season.

Haack's fingerprints also can be seen in the professional golf ranks. Bubba Watson won the 2012 Masters and is one of the PGA Tour's most recognizable figures. Ryuji Imada and Chris Kirk also have PGA wins since 2008. On the Web.com Tour, Haack proteges Erik Compton, Harris English, Russell Henley, Imada, Kirk, Kevin Kisner, Hudson Swafford and Brendon Todd have posted wins in recent years.

Haack’s contributions to the GCAA include serving as chair of the All-America, International Selection, Hogan Award and Coaches Poll committees. He also was picked by the GCAA as the captain of the Palmer Cup Teams in 2001 and 2006.

Joining Haack in the Class of 2012 will be LSU's J. Perry Cole, Texas' John Fields Cameron's Jerry Hrnciar, Western Illinois' Harry Mussatto and Odessa College's and SMU's Barry Rodenhaver. Additionally, longtime NCAA rules official Clyde Luther will be honored for his contributions. The GCAA Hall of Fame Reception and Awards Banquet will take place Dec. 10 in Las Vegas.