University of Houston Athletics
Men's Golf Hosts Dave Williams Pro-Am
5/9/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
HOUSTON â€" For the sixth straight season, University of Houston Men's Golf team members, alumni and fans enjoyed a great day on the course Monday during the annual Dave Williams Pro-Am presented by Insperity at The Woodlands Country Club.
The Dave Williams Pro-Am has been instrumental in revitalizing our program. We have raised money in this event, and it helps us reconnect with many of our former player," Director of Golf Jonathan Dismuke said. "It has been a great experience growing and developing this event every year.
The event, which benefits the Houston Men's Golf program, raised more than $100,000 for the program. As in years past, the Pro-Am began with a live auction with Houston great and 1968 NCAA individual national champion John Mahaffey leading.
Curtis Reed (2010-14), Blaine McCallister (1978-81), Keith Fergus (1973-76) and Bill Rogers (1970-73) joined Champions Tour professionals Tom Purtzer, Joey Sindelar and Esteban Toledo on the auction block, quickly raising more than $20,000.
From there, groups hit the course for a fun-fill round. By the end of play, the following players and groups captured titles and walked away with great prizes.
Following play, everyone returned to the clubhouse for lunch and awards. Letterman and current professional Roman Robledo's team with Mark Cook, Michael Ryan, Jeff Cranford Cranfrod and Rob McIntosh captured the First Net prize with a score of 45. Champions Tour professional Esteban Toledo's team with Mike Pede, Terry Yates, Gary Leonard and Bill Stephenson won First Gross with a score of 56.
ABOUT DAVE WILLIAMS
The tournament is named after legendary Houston head coach Dave Williams, who led the Cougars to 16 NCAA team national championships from 1962-87. In his brilliant career, Williams guided Houston to 14 conference titles and more than 340 team tournament titles across 24 states and foreign countries.
Known as the Father of Collegiate Golf, Williams created the scoring system that continues to be used at collegiate events today. He was inducted into the Golf Coaches Association of America, Texas Sports and Texas Golf halls of fame as well as the University of Houston Hall of Honor. In addition, the GCAA named its national men's collegiate golf Coach of the Year award in his honor in 1988.
Williams passed away in December 1998.
UP NEXT
The Cougars will compete as the No. 6 seed at the NCAA Franklin Regional, hosted at Vanderbilt Legends Club beginning Monday. Houston, which ranks No. 35 nationally by Golfstat, was one of 81 teams and 45 individuals selected to compete at the NCAA Regionals.
This marks the fifth straight season in which the Cougars will compete as a team at an NCAA Regional, the first time that feat has been accomplished since 1998-02.
The Cougars will compete against No. 1 seed Texas, No. 2 seed Vanderbilt, No 3 seed LSU, No. 4 seed Washington, No. 5 seed Virginia, No. 7 seed Pepperdine, No. 8 seed Kennesaw State, No. 9 seed Michigan, No. 10 seed Troy, No. 11 seed East Carolina, No. 12 seed UT Martin and No. 13 seed Georgetown.
Ryan Cole (James Madison), Ryan Cornfield (South Carolina Upstate), Matthew Lowe (Richmond), Jose Montano (Xavier), Patrick Cover (UNC Wilmington), Thomas Eldridge (UNC Wilmington), Joey Lane (Virginia Tech), Jake McGlone (UNC Greensboro), Ryan Wenzler (Wright State), U Minn Woon (Fairleigh Dickson) were selected to compete as individuals.
The low five teams and the low individual not on those teams from each Regional advance to the NCAA Championships to be played May 27-June 1 at Eugene Country Club in Eugene, Ore.
ABOUT the COUGARS
Under leadership of Dismuke and Associate Head Coach Ryke Dismuke, the Cougars have won five team championships with four student-athletes winning as many individual titles during the 2015-16 season.
Sophomore Michael Perras leads the team with a 71.97 scoring average and 16 rounds of par or better, including seven in the 60s. Senior All-American Blair Hamilton ranks second with a 72.42 average and 13 rounds of par or better and shared medalist honors at the 2015 NCAA Lubbock Regional, becoming the first player in school history with three straight rounds in the 60s in NCAA Regional competition.
In their most recent action, the Cougars finished third at the American Athletic Conference Championships at Black Diamond Ranch on Tuesday. Perras and senior Vincent Martino tied for ninth at even-par 216.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarGolf on Twitter and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at HoustonCougarWomensGolf.
Players Mentioned
