EMORY UNIVERSITY GOLF TEAM RANKED THE NATION'S BEST

(Aug. 11, 2005) - The Emory University men's golf team was recently recognized in the September 2005 issue of Golf Digest Magazine as being the top collegiate golf program in the country in terms of academics.

Emory is the only non-Division I program to be ranked in the top five, leading Princeton, Yale, Pennsylvania and William and Mary with a score of 90.69. The academics first category ranks schools that provide the absolute best education, as well as an opportunity to play competitive golf. The final index rating was calculated with academics counting for 70 percent, golf performance 20 percent and coach/facilities and climate factoring five percent each.

Head coach Mike Phillips sees the ranking as a great honor for both the golf team and the university.

"This is more than I expected, it's just really awesome," Phillips said. "I've always known Emory has been recognized academically. To have one of the hardest working student-athletes in Mike Lebow get his picture in the magazine is just great. This is great publicity for not only the golf team but the university."

While being ranked No. 1 for academics, Emory also received a ranking of 22nd in the balanced category with an 83.21. The Eagles were the only non-Division I program to be ranked in the category that combines both golf performance and academics. The balanced category was calculated with golf performance counting for 45 percent, academics 40 percent, coach/facilities 10 percent and climate 5 percent.

The Eagles open the fall portion of the season Sept. 19-20 when they travel to Lincoln, Neb., for the NCAA Division III Preview.

(May 16) - Three Emory University players were officially accorded All-America status by the Golf Coaches Association of America. Freshman Drew Harker, senior Timothy Hamm and junior Mike Lebow were named to the All-America third team on the basis of their finish at the NCAA Division III national championships.

Harker tied for 17th place overall out of 120 golfers with a four-day score of 303. Hamm tied for 22nd place at 304. Lebow tied for 24th place at 305.

Harker is the first Emory freshman golfer to earn All-America honors. This is the second consecutive year that Hamm and Lebow have been All-Americans.

Hamm and Lebow become the second and third golfers in Emory history to honored twice as an All-American. The first was Lee Palms, who made the second team in 1990 and the first team in 1991 when he won the national individual title.

This is the first time Emory has three All-Americans in one year. The Eagles had two in 1999 (Mike DiLonardo, Jason Steinberg) and last year (Hamm, Lebow).

The top 24 finishers automatically earn All-America status. The top eight finishers make the first team, the next eight the second team, and the next eight the third team.

Emory was one of three teams to have three individuals finish in the top 24. The others were Guilford (N.C.), the national team champion, and Methodist (N.C.), which finished fourth. Emory was eighth in the team standings, the sixth time in 10 NCAA appearances that it has placed in the top 10 nationally.

(May 12) - Emory University finished eighth at the NCAA Division III national championships. This is the sixth time in 10 NCAA appearances that Emory has placed in the top 10 nationally.

The Eagles shot a 313 on the final day to finish with a 72-hole score of 1224. That is the fourth-lowest score by an Emory team at the NCAA nationals.

Drew Harker became the first Emory freshman ever to attain All-America honors. He did so by finishing in a tie for 17th place in the field of 120 golfers. Harker shot a 303 for the tournament, the 11th-best score ever by an Eagle at the nationals and the second best by a freshman.

Timothy Hamm, an All-American last year, finished one shot behind Harker at 304, the 13th best in school history at the nationals. He ended up in 22nd place in the individual standings.

Mike Lebow, an All-American last year, finished two shots behind Harker at 305, the 16th-best ever by an Emory golfer in the NCAA championships. He was 24th in the final standings.

Emory had four different golfers record its daily low score. Keith Rourke was the team's low man today with a 77, following Hamm (72) on the first day, Harker (71) the second day, and Lebow (72) the third day.

Rourke and Tristan Sanders tied for 71st place.

This is the college swan song for seniors Hamm and Rourke.

(May 11) - Emory University's Mike Lebow picked up a pair of honors during the NCAA national championships. The senior was named to the All-Region team and as an All-America Scholar, both by the Golf Coaches Association of America.

Lebow is one of 12 players honored on the all-region team for the South region which had six teams selected for the NCAA national tournament, all of whom are in the top 10 heading into the final round. This is the first time Lebow has made the all-region team. This is the 16th time that an Eagle has been so honored since Lee Palms in 1990.

Lebow is one of 39 golfers in NCAA Division III to be honored as an All-America Scholar. He is one of 10 to make both the all-region and All-America Scholar teams.

As a business major, Lebow had a 3.46 cumulative grade point average. He entered the NCAA national tournament with a season stroke average of 74.4 per round, on pace for the second-best season average in school history. Lebow was ranked seventh in the region and 16th in the nation according to GolfStat.

To become an All-America Scholar, one must be a junior or senior, average 79.0 shots or better per round, and maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher.

(May 11) - Emory University remains in fifth place after the third round of the NCAA Division III national championships. The Eagles are in position to equal or better their best finish in school history, fifth place, which they achieved last year and in 1997.

Emory shot a 303 today, its second-best score of the tournament, for a 54-hole score of 911. It is three shots behind fourth place. If Emory were to shoot 303 again tomorrow, that would give it a 1214 score, tying for the third best in school history at the NCAA nationals.

All-American Mike Lebow had the low round of the day for Emory with an even-par 72 that included four birdies. He has a 226 score heading into the last round, one shot behind teammates Timothy Hamm and Drew Harker at 225. Lebow is in 20th place, a jump from from the start of the round when he was 37th overall.

Hamm carded a 75 that included a one-over-par 38 on the back nine. Harker shot a 78 in a round that included 15 pars. The two are tied for 16th place in the field of 120 golfers. The top 24 finishers automatically earn All-America honors.

Tristan Sanders is at 237 after shooting 80. Keith Rourke is at 240 after recording a 78.

Emory is seeking to finish in the top 10 for the sixth time in school history. The 72-hole tournament ends Thursday. Guilford (N.C.) is in first place with a 20-shot lead

(May 10) -  Emory University shot a 307 on the second day of the NCAA Division III national championships. The Eagles are tied for fourth place out of 23 teams with a score of 608 for 36 holes.

Freshman Drew Harker was Emory's low scorer of the day with a one-under-par 71. He has a two-day score of 147, placing him first on the team and ninth overall in the field of 120 golfers. Harker started the day in 24th place.

Harker had four birdies on the day, including three in his first nine holes. He carded a three-under-par 34 for his first nine holes (Emory golfers began their round on the 10th hole).

Harker is in position to make school history by a freshman at the NCAA championships. A 315 score would get him into the Emory top five all-time while a 301 would tie the school record set by Matt Browning in 1998.

Timothy Hamm, an All-American last season, registered a 78 for a two-day score of 150. He stands in 15th place. The top 24 finishers automatically earn All-America honors.

All-American Mike Lebow also scored 78, giving him 154 for 36 holes. He is 37th in the individual standings.

Tristan Sanders is in 56th place at 157 after an 80 today. He shot an even-par 37 for the first nine holes. Keith Rourke is in 87th place at 162 after shooting 83.

Emory is seeking to finish in the top 10 for the sixth time in school history. Of the top five teams in the standings, four are from the South region. The 72-hole tournament ends Thursday.

(May 9) - Emory University is in second place after the first day of the NCAA Division III national championships. The Eagles shot a 301, placing them one shot behind the leader, Nebraska Wesleyan.

Emory's best finish ever at the NCAA championships is fifth last year and in 1997. The team is aiming for a top-10 finish for the sixth time in school history.

Emory entered the tournament ranked No. 8 in the nation by the golf coaches association. The Eagles today placed five shots of No. 1 ranked Methodist (N.C.), one shot ahead of No. 2 Guilford (N.C.), nine shots ahead of No. 3 Redlands (Calif.), 11 shots ahead of No. 4 Oglethorpe (Ga.), and five shots ahead of No. 5 Greensboro (N.C.).

Returning All-Americans Timothy Hamm and Mike Lebow were the low scorers for Emory. Hamm shot an even-par 72 to tie for fifth place among 120 golfers. Lebow shot a 76, good for 24th place. The top 24 finishers at the end of the tournament automatically become All-Americans.

Freshman Drew Harker also shot a 76 to tie Lebow in 24th place. They were followed by Tristan Sanders at 77 and Keith Rourke at 79. Rourke was two-under-par for the back nine until a double bogey on the 18th hole. Lebow, Harker and Rourke each had three birdies today to tie for the team lead.

The 72-hole tournament in Howey-in-the-Hills, Fla., ends Thursday.

(April 28) - Emory University has been selected to the NCAA Division III national championships for the third consecutive year and the 10th time since 1990.

The Eagles, ranked ninth in the nation by the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA), were one of 23 teams chosen nationwide. Emory also was one of six teams selected from the South region, which boasts five national top-10 teams according to the GCAA.

Emory finished fifth at last year's NCAA championships, tying the best finish in school history. The Eagles also were fifth in 1997. Emory has placed in the top 10 at the nationals five times (1997-00, 2004).

Returning members from last year's team include All-Americans Mike Lebow and Timothy Hamm. Lebow leads the team in scoring this season with a 74.4 stroke average per round. He was ranked 16th in the nation by GolfStat. Hamm is second on the team at 76.7 shots per round.

The rest of the projected lineup for Emory is Tristan Sanders, 77.5 average, Keith Rourke, 77.7, and Drew Harker, 77.9.

The NCAA championships is May 9-12 at the Mission Inn Golf and Tennis Resort in Howey-in-the-Hills, Florida.

(April 26) - Emory University finished second at the University Athletic Association championships. This is the 16th straight time Emory has finished either first or second at the UAA championships.

Mike Lebow, who finished with a 153 (78-75), won the individual championship on the third sudden-death playoff hole. This is the fourth straight year an Eagle has won the individual championship and the 12th time in school history.

Lebow made the all-conference first team along with Drew Harker, who finished third with a 154 (80-74). Timothy Hamm, who finished ninth with a 158 (80-78), made the all-conference second team.

Tristan Sanders shot 162 (82-80) good for 13th place and Keith Rourke finished 15th with a 164 (80-84).

Emory shot 625 (318-307), three shots behind champion Rochester.

(April 14) - Emory University finished second in the annual Georgia Cup standings. The Georgia Cup is awarded to the NCAA Division III team in Georgia with the lowest season scoring average.

This is the second year in a row Emory has finished second. The other participating schools are LaGrange College, Oglethorpe University and Piedmont College.

Junior Mike Lebow and senior Timothy Hamm were named to the all-state team. Lebow finished fourth in the Georgia Cup individual standings with a 73.82 weighted scoring average and Hamm finished seventh with a 76.27 average.

Junior Tristan Sanders finished 10th, senior Keith Rourke finished 11th, junior Dan Ofman finished 13th, and freshman Drew Harker finished 15th.

Standings are comprised from tournament results where at least two Georgia Cup teams competed.

(April 12) - Emory University finished sixth out of 17 teams in its annual Emory Spring Invitational. The Eagles shot a second-day 309 to finish at 607.

The Eagles, ranked eighth in the nation, placed ahead of three national top-25 teams, including the No. 11 ranked team in the nation.

Timothy Hamm and Mike Lebow tied at 151, good for 20th place out of 90 competitors. Hamm shot 77 today to go with a first-round 74. Lebow carded a 75 today and 76 yesterday.

Tristan Sanders was next among Emory golfers with a 153 (75-78), followed by Keith Rourke at 156 (73-83), and Drew Harker at 158 (79-79).

Chris Clarke was the low scorer for the Emory "Blue" squad with a 157 (82-75) for the 36-hole tournament.

(April 11) - Emory University is in third place out of 17 teams after the first day of its Emory Invitational at the Cherokee Town & CC. The Eagles shot a 298, three shots behind second place and eight behind the leader.

Emory is ahead of six national top-20 teams, according to the lastest rankings by the Golf Coaches Association of America. The Eagles are ranked eighth nationally in Division III.

Keith Rourke was the low scorer with a one-over-par 73. He stands in sixth place among 90 competitors in the field.

Behind him were Timothy Hamm, 74, Tristan Sanders, 75, Mike Lebow, 76, and Drew Harker, 79. This is the seventh round this season that all five Emory golfers have shot under 80.

The 36-hole tournament ends Tuesday.

(April 4) - Emory University finished 12th out of 26 teams at the Camp LeJeune Invitational in Camp LeJeune, NC. The Eagles shot 595 (302-293) for the 36-hole tournament.

That is Emory's lowest score for a 36-hole tournament this season and the 10th lowest in school history. Emory's second round score of 293 is the fourth lowest ever at Camp LeJeune.

Mike Lebow was the low scorer for the Eagles with a six-over-par 148 (76-72). Lebow finished tied for 35th out of 126 golfers.

Timothy Hamm shot a 150 (73-77), followed by Tristan Sanders at 151 (79-72), Drew Harker at 152(74-78), and Dan Ofman at 153 (81-72).

The Eagles, currently ranked sixth in the nation, return to action when they host the Emory Spring Invitational April 11-12.

(March 20) - Emory University finished fourth out of 24 teams at the Golden Isles Invitational in Jekyll Island, Ga. The Eagles were eighth after the first round and sixth after the second.

Emory, ranked sixth in the nation, finished ahead of the No. 9, 12,14,19 and 21 nationally ranked teams.

The Eagles shot 897 (303-297-297) for the tournament. That is the third-lowest score in school history for a 54-hole tournament and the lowest ever at the Golden Isles tournament. The latter record was 918, set in 2003 and equaled last year.

Mike Lebow shot 220 (74-73-73), good for 12th place out of 127 competitors. That is the fourth-lowest score ever by an Eagle in a 54-hole tournament and the lowest ever at the Golden Isles tournament. The latter record was 225, set last year by Brian Nixon and Jason Scherr.

One shot behind Lebow was Tristan Sanders at 221 (76-70-75). Sanders tied for the fifth-best score in school history for a 54-hole tourney.

Timothy Hamm ended at 230 (77-75-78). Drew Harker shot 231 (80-79-72). Keith Rourke rounded out the team at 235 (76-82-77).

The Eagles had a different low scorer each of the three days. The first day's was Lebow with a 74, the second day was Sanders at 70, and the third day was Harker at 72.

Tyler Oldenburg, competing as an individual, shot 233 (81-74-78).

(March 1) - Emory University finished 10th out of 22 teams at the Pfeiffer Invitational. The Eagles shot a 627 for the 36-hole tournament.

Mike Lebow was the low scorer for Emory with a nine-over -par 151 (74-77). Lebow tied for eighth place out of 109 golfers.

Keith Rourke shot a 155, followed by Tim Hamm's 158, Tristan Sanders' 163, and Drew Harker's 165.

The Eagles, who are currently ranked eighth in the nation, return to action March 18-20 at the Golden Isles Invitational at Jekyll Island, Ga.

(Feb. 25) - Heading into the spring season, Emory University is second in the annual Georgia Cup standings. The Georgia Cup is awarded to the NCAA Division III Georgia team with the lowest season scoring average.

The three other participating schools are Oglethorpe University, Piedmont College, and LaGrange College. In last year's standings Emory finished second, behind Oglethorpe.

Junior Mike Lebow is currently No. 1 overall in the Georgia Cup individual standings with a 73.63 scoring average. Senior and returning All-American Tim Hamm ranks sixth, senior Keith Rourke ranks eighth, and freshman Drew Harker ranks tenth.

With a record of 50-25, Emory finished the fall reason ranked eighth in the nation by the golf coaches' association. In their final tournament of the fall season, the NCAA national preview tournament, Emory finished seventh out of 15 teams. This placed them ahead of five other teams ranked in the top 25 nationally.

(Oct. 25) - Emory University finished seventh out of 15 teams at the NCAA national preview tournament. The Eagles finished ahead of five teams ranked in the top 25 nationally.

Timothy Hamm and Mike Lebow shared low-man honors for Emory with scores of 225 for the 54-hole tournament, finishing tied for eighth out of 80 golfers.  After opening with a 79, Hamm carded a 73 in each of the last two rounds. Lebow shot 76-74-75. Their 225 is the 13th lowest score ever by an Eagle, fifth best in the fall, for a 54-hole tournament.

Keith Rourke finished at 231, followed by Chris Clarke, 238, and Drew Harker, 244.
The tournament was played at Howie-in-the-Hills, Fla, site of the NCAA Division III national championships next spring.

Emory is ranked fifth in the nation by the golf coaches' association. The Eagles are idle until their first spring tournament, Pfeiffer Invitational, Feb. 28 - March 1.

(Oct. 11) - Emory University finished fifth at the Gordin Collegiate Classic, featuring the top teams from last season's NCAA national championship. Returning All-American Mike Lebow finished second in the field of 60 golfers, one shot behind the winner.

The Eagles shot 292 and 306 for a two-day score of 598, the 12th lowest 36-hole tournament score in school history. Emory's 598 also is the fifth lowest ever in a fall tournament and betters by one shot its previous best score at the Gordin Classic, set last year.

Lebow tied for the low round in the field with a 69 on the opening day. He shot a 75 the second day to finish at even-par 144. The junior placed ahead of all eight returning All-Americans from last season.

Lebow's 144 is the 10th best score ever by an Emory golfer in a 36-hole tournament, third best ever in the Fall and the best ever at the Gordin Classic. The previous Emory record at the Gordin was 146 by Dan Ofman last year.

Keith Rourke finished in 23rd place with 150 (75-75), followed by Drew Harker in 32nd place at 152 (72-80), Timothy Hamm also in 32nd place at 152 (76-76), and Ofman in 55th place at 164 (79-85).

Emory finished behind the No. 1, 3, 5 and 11 ranked teams in the nation. The Eagles, ranked No. 8 nationally, placed ahead of the No. 4, 6, 9, 10, 12, 13, and 16 ranked teams in the nation.

The Gordin, held in Surfside Beach, S.C., at the Deer Track/Toski Links, is an annual tournament that brings together the top 11 teams from the previous season's NCAA national championships plus the host school, Ohio Wesleyan.

(Oct. 5) - Emory University shot a 287, the fifth lowest in school history, on the final day at the Greensboro Invitational. Emory's two-day score of 585 was good for fourth place out of 15 teams. The Eagles, ranked No. 8 in the nation, finished ahead of the No. 4, 15 and 25 ranked teams in the nation.

Four of the six Emory golfers, including an individual entry, shot even par 72 or better today. Freshman Drew Harker, junior All-American Mike Lebow and sophomore Chris Clarke, competing as an individual, each shot 71. Keith Rourke carded a 72. Timothy Hamm added a 73 and Dan Ofman finished at 75.

Lebow tied for eighth place out of 88 individuals with a score of 144. Harker was 14th at 146. Hamm, Rourke, and Ofman tied for 25th place at 149.

Emory's 287 score is the second lowest in school history in a Fall tournament. The record is 285 at the Williams (Mass.) Invitational in September 2002.

(Oct. 4) - Emory University shot a season-low 298 at the Greensboro (N.C.) Invitational, the first of three tournaments this fall that has not been interrupted by a hurricane. Emory is sixth out of 17 teams after the first day.

Mike Lebow, a returning All-American, led the Eagles with a 73, followed by Dan Ofman at 74. Freshman Drew Harker, in his first tournament at Emory, carded a 75. Rounding out the team were Timothy Hamm, 76, and Keith Rourke, 77. Chris Clarke, competing as an individual, finished with a 79.

(Sept. 27) - Emory University battled the rain while shooting a 319 at the Guilford Invitational. Mike Lebow shot a 76, making him the lone Eagle to break 80. He was followed by Timothy Hamm (81), Dan Ofman (81), Keith Rourke (81), and Tristan Sanders (83).

(Sept. 19) - Emory University finished third out of 23 teams at the Williams (Mass.) Invitational. The Eagles shot a 307 for the 18-hole tournament, two shots out of first place.

Mike Lebow and Tristan Sanders were the low scorers for Emory with rounds of 75 apiece. They tied for sixth place out of 119 golfers.

Keith Rourke carded a 78 while Timothy Hamm and Dan Ofman finished at 79.

The first day of the tournament was rained out.