Sept. 19, 2006

MEMPHIS, Tenn.- Fresh off a top-five finish in its first tournament of the fall season, the University of Memphis men's golf team was ranked No. 39 in Golfweek Magazine's latest top-50 men's college team rankings. The Tigers opened the fall schedule last week at the Scenic City Invitational in Chattanooga and finished fifth in a field of 17 teams.

"It's great to be recognized in the top 50, however, it is still very early," head coach Grant Robbins said. "We have a young, talented team this year, but we need to continue to work hard and try to improve each and every week. If we do that, we will have a successful season."

The Tigers shot 910 (301-305-304) in their first tournament of the year, just two strokes behind C-USA rival and fourth-place finisher UAB.

Individually, Memphis placed two golfers in the top 20. Senior Lewis Clarke led the way by recording his first top-10 finish of the year. The Exeter, England, native fired a 9-over-par 225 (76-76-73) and finished tied for tenth.

Junior Ian Rochester joined Clarke in the top 20 by finishing tied for 16th. The Cordova, Tenn., native shot an 11-over-par 227 (78-69-80). His second round 69 was the third lowest round of the tournament.

Three other golfers made their debuts with the Tigers at the Scenic City Invitational. Freshman Hugo Lauzon, a native of Montreal, Quebec, narrowly missed out on the top 20. His 14-over-par 230 (73-83-74) tied him for 26th, but was just two strokes away from breaking into the top 20. Meanwhile, sophomore Jordan Payne, a transfer from Arkansas, and junior Kyle Ritchie, a transfer from Tulane, made their first appearances in the Tiger lineup.

The Tiger golf team will be back in action Oct. 2-3 when they host the Memphis Intercollegiate at Colonial Country Club.