Fresno State Athletics
Golfer Nick Watney Named to 2002 Palmer Cup Team
5/1/2002 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
May 1, 2002
NORMAN, Okla. - The 2002 U.S. Palmer Cup team, Bill Haas of Wake Forest, Ryan Hybl of Georgia, John Klauk of Texas, Hunter Mahan of Oklahoma State, Troy Matteson of Georgia Tech, D.J. Trahan of Clemson, Nick Watney of Fresno State and Lee Williamson of Purdue, was announced by GCAA International Competitions Selection Committee chair, Bill Brogden and U.S. Palmer Cup coach, Chris Haack.
"These players are not only tremendously talented golfers," said Haack. "But they are exemplary young men and great leaders. I'm sure they will put our team in great position to defend the cup."
The eight golfers will represent the United States in the sixth annual match play event July 11-12 at Doonbeg Golf Club in County Clare, Ireland. The U.S. team will compete against their counterparts from Great Britain and Ireland.
"It is a great honor to be chosen," said Nick Watney. "I'm looking forward to representing my country and my school."
Last week, Watney was named 2002 WAC Player of the Year and First Team All-WAC. He finished fourth at the WAC Championships in Hawaii.
Of the 13 events that Watney golfed in this season, he finished first or second over half of the time. He also added one 4th, one 5th, one 8th, and two 9ths. He has only one finish worse than 9th for the whole year.
Watney won the Fresno Lexus Golf Classic, Aztec Invitational and Cougar Classic. He had five tournament totals of 206 or better and three more totals of 211 or better. 25 of his 38 rounds this year have been under par. His only out of the top 10 finish for the year occurred when he was hampered with an injury (Intercostal muscle).
Watney golfed in the Savane Sun Bowl Tournament with 24 All-Americans in the field. He finished second, one stroke back of the winner. He also had seconds at the Ping Arizona Invitational, the Taylor Made Invitational in Hawaii, and at USC's Southwest Intercollegiate. Nick is 2-0 against Graeme McDowell, the #1 ranked player in the country.
