Oct. 8, 2002

STILLWATER, Okla. - Bolstered by two players in the top 13 places, the University of Arizona men's golf team finished in third place at the Ping/Golfweek NCAA Preview. It was the team's second top-three finish in three events this season.

The Wildcats carded a 10-over-par 298 in Tuesday's final round and finished the 54-hole event with an 893 (+29) total. Arizona was one of just six teams in the field of 15 to post a sub-300 total over the final 18 holes. Augusta State won the event with an 880 (+16) total, six strokes ahead of runner-up Clemson.

Individually, senior Ricky Barnes fired a one-under 71 Tuesday to tie for third place at 217 (+1). It was Barnes' second top-five finish of the season and the 11th of his career. Augusta State's Emmett Turner captured individual medalist honors with a three-under 213 total. He was the only golfer in the field of 75 to finish under par.

Fellow senior Reid Hatley carded a one-under 71 Tuesday to finish tied for 13th place at 222 (+6). It was the best finish of the season for the Spokane, Wash., product. Freshman Blaine Peffley tallied a 226 (+10) to earn the best placing of his brief UA career with a tie for 25th.

Also competing for Arizona was junior Chris Nallen, who finished tied for 49th place at 232 (+16) and sophomore Kipp Riehle, who tied for 51st place at 234 (+18).

The Ping/Golfweek NCAA Preview was contested at Karsten Creek Golf Course, a par 72, 7,290-yard layout. The 54-hole event was hosted by Oklahoma State University.

The Arizona men's golf team will next be in action on Oct. 14-15 at the Jerry Pate National Intercollegiate in Birmingham, Ala.

Top Five Teams                      	Top Five Individuals
1.    Augusta State	880 (+16)	1.  Emmett Turner, Augusta State	74-69-70=213 (-3)
2.    Clemson        	886 (+22)	2.  Scott Jamieson, Augusta State	75-68-73=216 (E)
3.    ARIZONA        	893 (+29)	3.  Ricky Barnes, Arizona         	72-74-71=217 (+1)
4.    Auburn           	894 (+30)	    Matthew Rosenfeld, Texas    	76-70-71=217 (+1)
5.    Texas            	897 (+33)	5.  Conner Robbins, Washington  	73-73-72=218 (+2)

                               		Arizona Finishers
                               		  T3.  Ricky Barnes	72-74-71=217 (+1)
                                         T13.  Reid Hatley  	78-73-71=222 (+6)
                                	 T25.  Blaine Peffley	75-72-79=226 (+10)
                            		 T49.  Chris Nallen	78-77-77=232 (+16)
                              		 T51.  Kipp Riehle 	75-76-83=234 (+18)