April 13, 2005

Memphis, Tenn. - Freshman Ian Rochester of the Memphis men's golf team was named the Conference USA men's golfer of the week on Wednesday for his performance at the Billy Hitchcock Intercollegiate last weekend. Rochester became the fourth different Memphis golfer to win an individual title this year with his one-stroke victory at the tournament hosted by Auburn. He is also the third different Tiger freshman to win a tournament this year.

Rochester shot five-under 211 (65-72-74) and edged Auburn All-American Lee Williams by one stroke to take home the individual medal. He joins fellow freshmen Keven Fortin-Simard and Andy Shiels as individual medal winners this year. The first round 65 was just one stroke shy of tying to course record at the Auburn University Club and was also the second lowest round in the history of the Billy Hitchcock Intercollegiate. It also tied for the lowest round by a Memphis golfer this year and was the lowest in relation to par (-7) this year. It was also just one stroke shy of tying the school record of 64 for a single round. His 36-hole score of 137 was also just two strokes shy of the school record in that category.

Improving his career low round in college by six strokes with the 65, Rochester had 10 birdies in the first round and finished the tournament with 17 overall, four more than the golfer with the next most. For the tournament, he averaged below par on both par 4's and par 5's, and even par on par 3's. A graduate of Cordova High School, Rochester has started Memphis' last six tournaments after not being a part of the starting lineup in the first three of the year.

Rochester and the men's golf team will compete at the Conference USA Championship next Monday-Wednesday at The Grand Bear in Gulfport, Miss.