English, Henley Play Stadion Classic Again

Harris English playing in the 2010 Stadion Classic.

Georgia golfers Harris English and Russell Henley again have earned sponsor's exemptions to participate in the Nationwide Tour's Stadion Classic at UGA next month.

Two spots in the field are earmarked for members of the Georgia golf team, and the winners are determined by total strokes for the season. Henley leads the Bulldogs with 1,748 strokes, followed by English with 1,750 strokes. Hudson Swafford came in third with 1,752 strokes.

"We are really fortunate to have three players the caliber of Russell, Harris and Hudson on this team, and it is a shame that only two could get the exemption," Georgia coach Chris Haack said. "Having the opportunity to showcase our players at the Stadion Classic is really special for our players and our program.  Our alumni have had great success on both the Nationwide and PGA tours, and I expect we will see much of the same from these three guys."

The tournament will be held May 5-8 on the UGA Golf Course. There be a Monday qualifier on May 2, a practice round on May 3 and the pro-am on May 4.

Last year, English and Henley earned exemptions for the tournament and made the cut with English placing 27th and Henley finishing 34th.  Swafford served as English's caddy as he was recovering from offseason shoulder surgery.

Henley, the 2010 National Player of the Year, is a three-time All-American at UGA.  He has won seven collegiate tournaments, tying Chris Kirk for the most in school history. English also is a three-time All-American and he has been chosen as a 2011 finalist for the Byron Nelson Award based on academics, athletics, character and integrity.

Henley Honored as Athlete of the Year

Greg McGarity awards Russell Henley as Athlete of the Year

Senior Bulldog Golfer Russell Henley was honored Tuesday night as Athlete of the Year by the UGA Athletic Association.  Russell was chosen for his accomplishments during the 2010 calendar year which included his SEC medalist and Golfer of the Year honors, finishing as the low amateur in the U.S. Open, medalist at the South-Central NCAA Regional, a member of the U.S. Palmer Cup Team, GolfWeek Player of the Year, and the recipient of the Fred Haskins Award.

Georgia Golfers Come In Fourth In SEC Championship

The Georgia men's golf team finished fourth in the Southeastern Conference Championship on Sunday at Sea Island Golf Club's Seaside Course.

The Bulldogs carded a 2-over-par 282  — their best loop of the tournament — in the final round to wind up at 22-over 862.  The SEC title went to Florida, which finished at 8-over 848.

Georgia senior All-Americans Harris English, Russell Henley and Hudson Swafford all fired 1-under 69s on Sunday to pace the Bulldogs. Freshman Michael Cromie signed for a 5-over 75 and sophomore Bryden Macpherson had a 7-over 77.

Henley, the 2010 SEC Player of the Year and tournament medalist, came in sixth at 2-over 212.  Medalist honors went to Florida's Andres Echavarria, who recorded a 1-under 209 and won a 1-hole playoff with LSU's John Peterson.

Swafford placed 14th at 6-over 216, followed by English at 8-over 218, Macpherson at 11-over 221 and Cromie at 15-over 225.

“Obviously, it’s a little disappointing because we wanted to be in the mix on the last day and on the last nine,” Georgia coach Chris Haack said. “But we got off to a bad start (a first-round 292) and that kind of cost us. We’ve been in this position before. We’ve won the NCAAs (in 1999 and 2005) when we did not win the SECs. We’ve got to keep plugging along, be more consistent and give ourselves a chance.”

The Bulldogs will return to action May 19-21 in an NCAA Regional in an attempt to advance to the NCAA Championship.

Bulldogs Move To Fourth Place At SEC Championship

The Georgia men's golf team improved to fourth place on Saturday in the second round of the Southeastern Conference Championship at Sea Island Golf Club’s Seaside Course.

The Bulldogs shaved four strokes off their first-round total to check in at 8-over 288 on Saturday. For the tournament, Georgia is at 20-over 580, 13 shots behind Florida.

Senior Hudson Swafford bounced back from his first-round 8-over 78 to post a team-best 1-under 69 on Saturday. Senior Russell Henley added a 2-over 72, followed by freshman Michael Cromie with a 3-over 73, senior Harris English with a 4-over 74 and sophomore Bryden Macpherson with a 5-over 75.

Henley, the defending SEC champion, is 11th at 3-over 143, four strokes behind LSU’s John Peterson (139).  Macpherson is 14th at 4-over 144, while Swafford is at 7-over 147, English is at 9-over 149 and Cromie is at 10-over 150.

“We have veterans at the top of our lineup, and they know what what’s at stake,” Georgia coach Chris Haack said. “This is their last walk down the SEC Championship, so I want them to go out with the attitude of there’s nothing to lose. They need to let it all hang out and go for it. We’ve got a lot of ground to make up, but if we get hot and make some putts, you never know what can happen.”

The SECs will conclude on Sunday with the Bulldogs teeing off at 8 a.m. with their counterparts from Arkansas and LSU. Live scoring can be found at golfstat.com.

Bulldogs in Fifth Place After Round 1 at SEC Champsionship

With 2010 Freshman of the Year Bryden Macpherson leading the way, the Georgia men's golf team opened the Southeastern Conference Championship in fifth place on Friday on Sea Island Golf Club's Seaside Course.

Macpherson, the sophomore from Australia, fired a 1-under-par 69 to land second in the individual standings. He is one shot behind LSU's John Peterson.

The Bulldogs carded a 12-over 292 and trail Florida by seven shots. A year ago, Macpherson was the leader and the Bulldogs were in sixth place after one round. Georgia ultimately claimed the team title and Macpherson earned Freshman of the Year honors following an eighth-place finish.

"We're positioned where we last year, so it's really not an issue for us," Macpherson said. "We'll stay positive and think about the good things. The key to golf is to think about the good things and don't let the bad things get ahold of you. ... The other guys didn't play as well as they would have liked, but they're such good players. A little more here and there, and we'll have the week we're looking for."

Russell Henley, who earned SEC Player of Year and tournament medalist honors in 2010, followed Macpherson with a 1-over 71 and is in eighth place. Senior Harris English signed for a 5-over 75, while freshman Michael Cromie notched a 7-over 77 and senior Hudson Swafford added an 8-over 78.

"Bryden played really well and Russell got it going, but we gave a few away carelessly during the course of the round," Georgia coach Chris Haack said. "(The message to the team is) don't be afraid, just go play, go attack this golf course. We've been here before, so we know it. We need to attack it and see what happens."

The Bulldogs will tee off Saturday in the second round in 10-minute increments from 8 to 8:40 a.m. with their counterparts from Alabama and Auburn. Live scoring can be found at golfstat.com.

Georgia Golfers Set Sights On Another SEC Title

The Georgia men’s golf team will join its league brethren this weekend for the Southeastern Conference Championship at Sea Island Golf Club’s Seaside Course on St. Simons Island.

The 13th-ranked Bulldogs and the other 11 teams will compete today through Sunday on the par-70, 6,657-yard layout. Georgia's players will tee off with their counterparts from Florida and Auburn in 10-minute increments between 8:50 and 9:30 a.m. Live results and tee times can be found at golfstat.com.

Georgia has been a dominant force at the SECs, winning a league-best 28 conference titles. Under Coach Chris Haack, Georgia has secured seven SEC titles, including each of the last two and five of the 10 held at Sea Island.

“Every year, I think this tournament and this golf course identify the team that’s playing the best that week,” Haack said. “For some reason, we’ve had our share of success. We like the golf course. Our team has always felt the harder the golf course, the better. Everything that can come into play down there usually does, and for reason we just like that.”

Haack has repeatedly used the word “shoot-out” to describe this year’s SECs. With six conference schools ranked in the national top 15, the tournament figures to be closer than ever, he said.

“There’s always a pride factor when you go to this tournament,” the four-time SEC Coach of the Year said. “This is a tournament that we look at and mark on the calendar as goal No. 1 for us. This year, it’s not only a conference championship, but it’s also a glimpse of what the NCAAs could be like because there’s so many good teams. We just want to be in the mix coming into Sunday and give ourselves a chance.”

Haack will use a lineup of seniors Harris English, Russell Henley and Hudson Swafford, sophomore Bryden Macpherson and freshman Michael Cromie. Henley was the SEC Player of the Year and tournament medalist a year ago, while he, English and Swafford all have nine competitive rounds at the SECs under their belts.

“We have guys,” Haack said, “who know what it takes to win this tournament.”

Bubba at The Masters

Bubba Watson at The Masters

Former Bulldog, Bubba Watson,  will be teeing off tomorrow at 1:15 in the first round of The Masters.  Bubba, who already has one tournament victory this year on The PGA Tour, will be paired with Paul Casey and Edoardo Molinari.  The tournament can be followed live on the internet at www.masters.com.

Kirk Has Best Career Finish on PGA Tour

Former Bulldog All-American and PGA Tour Rookie, Chris Kirk

Former Bulldog All-American, Chris Kirk notched his best finish in his rookie season on the PGA Tour this past Sunday.  Kirk, who held the 36 hole lead, finished tied for second at The Shell Houston Open.  Phil Mickelson won the event, three shots clear of Kirk and Scott Verplank who finished tied at 17 under par.  Kirk took home $519,200 for his share of second and now stands in 29th place on the PGA Tour Money List with $779,079 as well as moving into the top 30 on the FedEx Cup Points standings to 23rd place.