Howey-in-the-Hills, Fla.—The University of Florida men’s golf team closed out its fall season by defeating the 13th-seeded Clemson Tigers 3-0-2 in the Consolation B Final at the 2004 Hooters Collegiate Match Play Championship at the Mission Inn.

Against the Tigers, senior Duke Butler IV (Ponte Vedra, Fla.) turned in the largest margin of victory as he defeated Brent Delahoussaye four and three. Following Butler was senior Richard Treis (Baden-Baden, Germany) and junior Ryan Cochran (Paducah, Ky.), who each defeated their opponents by two. Treis won his match against Brian Duncan two up, while Cochran dispensed of Nick Biershenk two and one.

Junior James Vargas (Miami, Fla.) and freshman Manuel Villegas (Medelin, Columbia) each battled back and forth with their opponents, but after 18 holes the matches finished all square to seal the victory for the Gators.

For the tournament, the Gators recorded 11 individual match victories to only six individual losses and three ties. Each of the top-five Florida players in the tournament recorded at least two individual wins, while no Gator golfer dropped more than one individual match. Butler posted the best record for the 2004 events, as he recorded a three-win and one loss record.

The Gators posted a 3-1-0 record in their four matches at the event and held two top-25 teams scoreless as they didn’t drop an individual match to No. 10 UCLA or No.16 Clemson. All three of Florida’s wins came at the expense of current top-25 teams and gives the Gators a strong end to a challenging fall season. The lone Gator loss came at the hands of the No. 3 and eventual 2004 Match Play Champion Oklahoma State.

The Gators will return to action on Feb. 5-6, as they will host the 27th Annual SunTrust Gator Invitational at the University Golf Course.

FLORIDA OVERALL MATCH PLAY RECORDS

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