Tuesday, September 23, 2008

        BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (Sept. 23, 2008) - Since arriving in Johnson City one year ago, ETSU golfer Rhys Enoch (Cornwall, England) has impressed fans and fellow competitors with his skills. In the second event of his sophomore campaign, Enoch's talent allowed him to join another famous Rhys who once wore the Buccaneers' blue and gold.

            Following in the footsteps of former ETSU standout Rhys Davies, who won the Shoal Creek Intercollegiate three years ago, Enoch fired a final round 1-under 71 to post a three-round total of 2-under 214 and win the 2008 edition of the Shoal Creek Intercollegiate Tuesday at the Shoal Creek Country Club. Enoch tied for the top spot with UAB's Zack Sucher.

            Enoch said he was in the dark about where he was on the leaderboard most of the round.

            "They don't have any scoreboards on the course so I didn't know where things stood until my 14^th hole when I saw coach and he told me," Enoch said. "I didn't think I was playing great, but I had a solid back nine and made some shots when I needed them. It's nice to join Rhys (Davies) as a winner of the tournament. It was a good day."

            ETSU head coach Fred Warren said he was most impressed when Enoch reached his 16^th hole of the day (which was actually No. 7 on the course). Having found trouble on his second shot, Enoch managed a pitch and putt to save par. He then posted par on a difficult final hole to get the win.

            "No. 7 and No. 9 were two of the toughest holes on the course and they were Rhys' 16^th and 18^th holes," Warren said. "He had a tremendous up and in on his 16^th hole. It was one of the best pitch shots I've seen. We're really proud of Rhys. He played solid and getting your first win is always big."

As a team, the 18^th-ranked Bucs made a move early in the round and ultimately finished fifth, 13 strokes back of team champion Baylor.

"We made up some ground, but we gave some back at the end of the round," Warren said. "This was a strong field again, and against these types of teams you have to keep going. We seemed to make some progress and hopefully we can learn from today."

As for the rest of the Bucs, other notable results included freshman Devin Komline (Dorset, Vermont) who finished tied for 24^th, while junior Seamus Power (Waterford, Ireland) tied for 27^th.

            The Bucs will now enjoy a month long break before hosting the Bank of Tennessee Intercollegiate Oct. 25-27 at the Ridges Golf and Country Club in Jonesborough. For more on ETSU men's golf throughout the season, visit ETSUBucs.com.