The University of Mississippi Athletics
Ole Miss
Raising Cane Classic
Men's Golf Captures Raising Cane Classic Going Away
9/21/2004 | Men's Golf
Sept. 21, 2004
Complete Results from the Raising Cane Classic (in PDF Format)
HATTIESBURG, Miss. - The Ole Miss men's golf team captured its first tournament title in over five years Tuesday afternoon with a first-place finish at the Raising Cane Classic. The Rebels carded a 279-278-284--841 to win the 54-hole affair by 16 strokes.
The victory comes in head coach Ernest Ross' first tournament back after 17 years away from the program. Ross coached the Rebels to 15 regular-season tournament titles, two NCAA Tournament appearances and one Southeastern Conference Championship during his first stint in Oxford from 1979-87. The title was also Ole Miss' first since March 21, 1999, when the Rebels captured the Alabama Spring Invitational in Tuscaloosa.
"This is just what the doctor ordered," Ross said. "For the last month, I've been talking about how we needed some early-season success. Winning a tournament by 16 strokes will definitely get our momentum headed in the right direction.
"I am extremely pleased with the effort and the way these five young men played. We opened up a big lead in the second round, but, like I said, it takes three good rounds to win a 54-hole tournament. We stayed focused today and finished what we started."
Sophomore Kyle Ellis, of Senatobia, Miss., tied for medalist honors with a 70-65-71--206. The individual championship was Ole Miss' first since March 13, 2001, when former Rebel Troy Muller carded a 68-71--139 at the Louisiana Classic.
"This entire team is really pumped about winning a tournament," Ellis said. "We really came out and dominated. We were much more relaxed coming in and picked up confidence as the tournament went along. We all wanted to play well and have fun. We've been saying that we are a much better golf team today than we were in April and now I think people believe us.
"Jordan Dempsey's return has taken a lot of pressure off of me. I can now go out and just play my game. We have a lot of capable golfers on this team and are looking forward to a lot of success throughout the season."
Dempsey, a native of Jacksonville, Fla., joined Ellis on the all-tournament team after finishing fourth with a 67-70-71--208. A two-year letterwinner in 2001-02 and 2002-03 after transferring in from Central Florida, Dempsey made his return felt in the season opener after sitting out the 2003-04 campaign as a redshirt.
"People just don't understand that winning a golf tournament by 16 strokes is like winning a football game by six touchdowns," Dempsey said. "My teammates said they've never seen me with a smile like the one I had on the 18th hole today. I've been in this program for over three years and this is the most excitement that I've ever seen. We have a very competitive group of guys and want to go to nationals this year.
"If you would've told me Sunday night that I'd finish fourth in this tournament, I would've just laughed at you. I had a tough practice round, but Coach Ross and I made some minor adjustments before the first round. The advice definitely paid off. I hit it really well off the tee in all three rounds. It felt great to get back out on the course."
Several other strong performances were turned in at the Raising Cane Classic. Sophomore Chris Rogers fired a 69-74-69--212 to tie for seventh, while sophomore Callum Macaulay posted 73s across the board for a total of 219 and freshman David Marino recorded a 75-70-75--220.
Sam Houston State (284-286-287--857) and Tulane (283-287-287--857) tied for second place in the tournament, while South Florida took fourth (289-281-289--859) and UL-Lafayette fifth (284-286-295--865). The Rebels also knocked off in-state rivals Mississippi State (6th, 288-287-296--871) and Southern Miss (8th, 292-294-288--874).
Ole Miss registered eight rounds at even-or-under par for the tournament, with four of the five individuals firing a 72-or-better at one point during the 54-hole affair.
The Rebels return to the links Monday and Tuesday for the Mason Rudolph Championships in Nashville, Tenn.
Final Results from the RAISING CANE CLASSIC
(Canebrake Golf Club in Hattiesburg, Miss.)
Team Standings:
1. OLE MISS (279-278-284--841); T-2. Sam Houston State (284-286-287--857); T-2. Tulane (283-287-287--857); 4. South Florida (289-281-289--859); 5. UL-Lafayette (284-286-295--865); 6. Mississippi State (288-287-296--871); 7. Jacksonville State (291-286-296--873); 8. Southern Miss (292-294-288--874); T-9. Louisiana Tech (290-289-297--876); T-9. New Orleans (294-286-296--876); 11. McNeese State (297-285-295--877); 12. Austin Peay (298-279-302--879); 13. Middle Tennessee (296-292-302--890); 14. Arkansas State (292-303-297--892); 15. South Alabama (305-296-305--906).
Ole Miss Individuals:
T-1. Kyle Ellis (70-65-71--206); 4. Jordan Dempsey (67-70-71--208); T-7. Chris Rogers (69-74-69--212); T-30. Callum Macaulay (73-73-73--219); T-34. David Marino (75-70-75--220).
