Vanderbilt & Snedeker Claim Mason Rudolph Titles

FRANKLIN, Tenn. – Vanderbilt captured both the team title and the individual title today at the second annual Mason Rudolph Championship at the par-70, 6,973-yard Legends Club of Tennessee.

The Commodores claimed the most impressive tournament championship in school history with a school-record 29-under-par three-round score of 811. Vanderbilt took the title in the 11-team field by finishing 18 shots ahead of second-place College of Charleston, 27 shots ahead of third-place Alabama and 28 strokes ahead of fourth-place Georgia State.

Of the 12 rounds that counted for the Commodores, only one round was over par. Vanderbilt had scoring individuals finish in first, third, fourth and seventh places.

“I’m proud that we were able to come together and post such low rounds both days,” said Vanderbilt head coach Press McPhaul. “It’s a tribute to the hard work our guys have been putting in and now we have the confidence to improve even more. This also shows their desire to make a name for Vanderbilt in both the SEC and in the nation.”

“I’m happy for Brandt Snedeker and glad that he could finally break through and win a tournament,” McPhaul added. “He has been close many times and it’s good to see him finally do it.”

Leading the Commodores was Snedeker, who claimed his first collegiate tournament championship with a 12-under-par score of 198. The senior’s score of 198 is his best three-round collegiate performance by seven strokes. He got to his score of 198 by firing rounds of 65, 68 and 65.

“I’m happy with the way things are going personally, but I’m even happier with the way the team is playing.,” Snedeker said after the final round. “This just shows that we’re ready to be a national power.

“We’ve been searching for a week when we all played well. I think today proves that we’re good enough to win an SEC Championship and contend at the ational
level. This established ourselves as a premier team. College of Charleston is a top-25 team and we beat them by 18 strokes. Alabama is strong as well and we were able to beat them. We’re ready to be at the top and stay at the top.

“My game has really grown and matured. I’m a more complete player. I’ve been working constantly with Coach McPhaul and Mason Rudolph and they have both helped my confidence in pressure situations.”

Following Snedeker closely in the results were a trio of Commodores. Senior Craig Dunlap finished third with an eight-under-par 202, which are both career bests.

Sophomore Mark Donnell finished his tournament tied for fourth place with a
seven-under-par score of 203, which is the best score in his young career.
Sophomore Lance Goodson rounded out Vanderbilt’s top finishers with a tie for
seventh-place and a score of two-under-par 208, both of which are career
bests.

Junior Ken Lewis was the final member of Vanderbilt’s team and he finished tied for 48th with a score of 11-over-par 221. Vanderbilt individuals included sophomore Ben McClung (T21, 213), senior Jason Dallas (T35, 218), sophomore Jack Skirkanich (65, 239) and freshman Will Armstrong (66, 256).

“Last year I knew we we’re going to have some fun, but I didn’t know we we’re going to have this much fun,” said tournament namesake and former Vanderbilt golf coach Mason Rudolph.

Day 1

First-Place Snedeker Leads Vanderbilt to Top Spot 9/16/02

NASHVILLE -- The Vanderbilt men's golf team is in first place after the first two rounds of the Mason Rudolph Championship. The Championship is being played at the par-70, 6,973-yard Legends Club of Tennessee in Franklin, Tenn.

The Commodores head into the final round with an 11-stroke lead after putting together rounds of nine-under-par 271 and eight-under-par 272. Vanderbilt was led by senior Brandt Snedeker, who finished the first day in first place after posting a two-round score of seven-under-par 133. This is the second time in as many events this season that Snedeker has gone into the final round with the individual lead. He finished second last week at the Cleveland Golf Kiawah
Island Intercollegiate.

Senior Craig Dunlap and sophomores Mark Donnell and Lance Goodson are close
behind Snedeker. Dunlap finished the second round tied for third place with a
five-under-par 135, Donnell is in fifth place with a four-under-par score of 136 and Goodson is tied for 12th with a one-under-par 139.

Rounding out the Commodore squad was junior Ken Lewis, who finished tied for
51st place with a nine-over-par 149. Vanderbilt also fielded four individuals. Senior Jason Dallas finished tied for 28th place with a four-over-par 144, while sophomore Ben McClung is in 32nd place with a score of five-over-par 145. The final two individuals for the Commodores were Jack Skirkanich, who finished 65th with a score of 164, and Will Armstrong, who finished 66th with a score of 166.

The Commodores finished the first round in first place after putting together a team score of nine-under-par 271. Vanderbilt finished the first 18 holes four shots ahead of second-place Alabama, six shots ahead of third-place College of Charleston and seven shots in front of fourth-place Georgia State.

Leading the way for the Commodores was Snedeker, who fired a five-under-par 65 to finish his first round in second place. Following Snedeker closely was a trio of Vanderbilt golfers that included Goodson, Dunlap and Donnell. Goodson finished the first round tied for sixth with a two-under-par 68, while Dunalp and Donnell each were tied for 10th place with a one-under-par 69. Lewis rounded out Vanderbilt’s team, finishing tied for 41st with a four-over-par 74.

Four individuals wrapped up the Vanderbilt contingent. Dallas and McClung were
tied for 24th after shooting two-over-par 74s. Skirkanich shot a nine-over-par 79 in the first round to finish tied for 62nd, while Armstrong finished the first round in 66th place with a 19-over-par 89.

The Mason Rudolph Championship concludes tomorrow with the final 18 holes. The leaders are scheduled to tee off at 8:40 a.m. Central.