Randolph Birdies First Playoff Hole To Win Schenkel

STATESBORO, Ga. - Ole Miss junior Jonathan Randolph birdied the first playoff hole to capture medalist honors at the Schenkel E-Z-GO Invitational here Sunday at Forest Heights Country Club. The Rebels shot a 294 in the final round to end in a tie for fifth (871) in the 15-team field.

Randolph ended 54 holes of play at 5-under with North Florida's Jordan Gibb and Alabama's Hunter Hamrick. The three went back to the No. 1 hole, a 394-yard par-4 to begin the playoff. Randolph hit his drive 310 yards, leaving him approximately 83 yards left to the hole. He hit a wedge to six feet and drained the birdie putt right in the center of the hole for the win.

With the win, Randolph grabbed his third victory of the year, to go along with the Mason Rudolph in the fall and the Gator Invitational earlier this spring. The Brandon, Miss., native is the second Rebel to win three tournaments in a season, joining All-American Dave Peege, who did it in 1984. Randolph has two firsts, a second and a third this spring.

"I didn't like how I finished every day. I had at least a 15 foot par putt both days on my last hole. I made it the first day (No. 9). Yesterday I bogeyed No. 18, and then today I three-putted from about 60 feet. I hit the ball really well (today), and putted pretty well, but nothing went in. Coach, Joe (David) and I stayed behind, while the team raced to try and make the flight. We decided that if we were going to miss our flight, I might as well win. I was ready to take care of business (in the playoff).

On equaling Peege's record of three tournament titles in a season Randolph said, "It's really cool. It's really prestigious. I feel honored to be in the company with Dave Peege. I am glad I can be a part of that group."

Auburn climbed the leaderboard and took the team title with a 291 in the final round for a total of 862. North Florida struggled on the final day, shooting an 11-over 299 to finish one stroke behind Auburn at 863. The field battled through winds and rain on the final day of play, with Tennessee owning the lowest round (281) of the day.

Rebel sophomore Billy Brozovich finished tied for 20th, with a 74-73-71-218, sophomore Joe David posted a 72-73-75-220 and freshman Pete Kellermann recorded a 71-75-76-222 to round out the scoring.

The Rebels came into the tournament ranked No. 43 and beat four teams ranked ahead of them, including No. 14 Florida.

"I am extremely proud of Jonathan to win this prestigious tournament with the long list of accomplished players. It is a great honor for him," head coach Ernest Ross said. "We've proven that we've made a lot of progress this spring. We still have work to do. I can see some really good improvement in our players. This was a solid week for our team, and we hope to keep learning and improving."

Ole Miss will now get ready to host the BancorpSouth Intercollegiate April 5-6 at Reunion Golf and Country Club in Madison, Miss.

"I love the course," said Randolph, who hopes to claim another title near his hometown. "I love being at home. I can't wait to go out there and give it a shot."

SCHENKEL E-Z-GO INVITATIONAL - STATESBORO, Ga.
TEAM STANDINGS (FINAL RESULTS)
1. Auburn 288-283-291--862
2. North Florida 285-279-299--863
3. Virginia 286-287-292--865
4. Alabama 292-288-288--868
T5. Tennessee 299-291-281--871
T5. Ole Miss 287-290-294--871
7. North Carolina State 289-286-297--872
8. Florida 294-297-284--875
9. LSU 291-289-297--877
10. South Carolina 293-293-292--878
11. Vanderbilt 291-291-299--881
12. Georgia Southern 292-289-302--883
13. North Carolina 300-288-300--888
14. Kentucky 295-293-301--889
15. Louisville 296-300-302--898
OLE MISS INDIVIDUALS
T1. Jonathan Randolph * 70-69-72--211
T20. Billy Brozovich 74-73-71--218
T32. Joe David 72-73-75--220
47. Pete Kellermann 71-75-76--222
79. Tom Brown 79-78-78--235
* Won in a playoff

The University of Mississippi Athletics

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