July 14, 2008

COLUMBIA, S.C. – A busy summer by University of South Carolina golfers yielded its first tournament victory this weekend as 2007-08 senior Mark Anderson claimed the top spot at The Player’s Amateur on Sunday at the Belfair Golf Club in Bluffton, S.C. Three other Gamecocks played in the event with two finishing in the top 15.

With a final-round 60 to tie the East Course record, Anderson posted a five-shot victory over Matt Jager of Australia. A two-time All-American, Anderson was under 70 all weekend, carding rounds of 66, 69 and 63 to start the event. He finished with a tournament total of 258 (-22). With the victory, Anderson earned an automatic invitation to the Verizon Heritage in Hilton Head, S.C., in April 2009.

Rising juniors Patrick Rada and George Bryan IV were the other two Gamecocks in the top 15 at the end of four rounds. Rada pulled in a share of 10th place with a total of 272 (-8) after carding alternating scores of 66 and 70. Bryan was one shot off his teammate’s mark at 273 (-7). After a 72 in the opening round, Bryan carded 69 on Friday and closed with back-to-back 66s to wrap up the event.

Rising senior Mark Silvers III completed the event in 36th place with a score of 278 (-2). His play was steady with 70 in each of the first two rounds and 69 in the final two trips around the course.

Click here for a complete list of Gamecock Golf summer results.