October 24, 2006
Led by Bobby Gates' four-under-par 68, No. 9-ranked Texas A&M fired the day's best round on Tuesday and rallied to a third-place finish at the prestigious Isleworth Collegiate Invitational at Isleworth Country Club.
A&M entered the final round in 16th place, but leapfrogged 13 teams with a three-over-par 291, the best score of the day by six shots. Gates round was the best individual score of the day by three strokes. A&M freshman John Hurley helped the cause with an even-par 72.
A&M finished ahead of 10 ranked teams, including four of the top eight teams in the country.
"This just shows what we're capable of," A&M Coach J.T. Higgins said. "You don't give up and keep playing until it's over. The guys played with so much pride and heart today and showed what they are made of. It was a tremendous effort and I couldn't he happier for them. It's indescribable how good Bobby's 68 was. It was the best round of the day by three shots, which tells you have difficult the course played."
Unranked Texas captured the title with a 12-over total of 876, followed by No. 2 Florida (888), A&M (298-301-291=890), No. 1 Oklahoma State (892), No. 3 Georgia (893), No. 5 Clemson (894), No. 23 Kentucky (896), Florida State (900), No. 22 Tennessee (900), No. 14 North Carolina (900), No. 19 Wake Forest (900), No. 8 Georgia Tech (903), No. 11 Duke (905), No. 17 Georgia State (906), Arizona (914), South Carolina (915), Texas Tech (917) and host Central Florida (924).
Georgia's Brian Harman won the individual title by one shot with an even-par total of 70-71-75=216. Gates tied for 10th at 78-75-68=221.
A&M's Trey Todd (73-77-73=223) tied for 23rd, Martin Piller (70-74-81=225) tied for 29th, Hurley (77-77-72=226) tied for 33rd and Matt Van Zandt (78-75-78=231) tied for 61st.
A&M played without Bronson Burgoon, who is playing in the first-stage of the PGA Tour Qualifying School at Cypresswood Golf Club in Spring, Texas. He carded a two-under 70 on Tuesday and is tied for 12th place. Burgoon is competing as an amateur so he can retain his college eligibility should he not earn his tour card.
The Aggies close their fall schedule at the Callaway Collegiate Match Play Championship beginning on Sunday in Fort Worth.