Snedeker on Hogan Award Watch List 3/6/03

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Vanderbilt's Brandt Snedeker is one of 21 collegiate men's golfers who have been named to the watch list for the 2003 Ben Hogan Award. The Hogan Award watch list was announced today by the Friends of Golf (FOG) and Colonial Country Club, in cooperation with Bank of America and the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA).

The Ben Hogan Award is presented annually to the top men's NCAA Division I, II or III or NAIA golfer. Taking into account all collegiate and amateur competitions during the last 12 months, the watch list includes 21 golfers, such as 2002 Hogan Award recipient D.J. Trahan of Clemson, U.S. Amateur champion Ricky Barnes of Arizona and 2002 Arnold Palmer Award winners Troy Matteson of Georgia Tech and Chico State's J.J. Jakovac.

"Obviously, the list represents the finest players across the country at all levels of college golf," stated GCAA Executive Director Gregg Grost. "I feel it's significant that we see individuals from all areas of the country on the list as well as international players. It's important to note that the Hogan Award winner does not necessarily have to come from individuals on this list, however, at this time the committee feels that this group has stepped to the front during the past nine months."

The Hogan Award selection committee will select 10 semi-finalists April 11 and name five finalists April 25. The winner of the Hogan Award will be announced May 9 and the presentation banquet will be held at Colonial Country Club May 19, the Monday prior to the Bank of America Colonial.

In six tournaments this year, Snedeker still has not finished worse than third, including winning three consecutive events in the fall. The Nashville native also is the SEC's top rated golfer in the 2002-03 Golfweek/Sagarin Rankings, rating first in the nation. Snedeker currently boasts a 69.06 stroke average in 17 rounds.

2003 Ben Hogan Award Watch List
(in alphabetical order)

Yasin Ali, Oklahoma City
Ricky Barnes, Arizona
Dustin Bray, North Carolina
Bill Haas, Wake Forest
J.J. Jakovac, Chico State
Tom Johnson, Northwestern
James Lepp, Illinois
Brock Mackenzie, Washington
Hunter Mahan, Oklahoma State
Troy Matteson, Georgia Tech
Ryan Moore, UNLV
Chris Nallen, Arizona
Simon Nash, Minnesota
Adam Rubinson, TCU
Brandt Snedeker, Vanderbilt
Andrew Svoboda, St. John's
D.J. Trahan, Clemson
Camilo Villegas, Florida
Justin Walters, NC State
Nick Watney, Fresno State
Oliver Wilson, Augusta State