FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Senior All-American Andrew Dahl has been selected to play in the prestigious Western Refining College All-America Golf Classic on Nov. 24-25, in El Paso, Texas. The tournament is in its 29th year and consists of the top 29 golfers in the nation who earned All-America status last year and still have eligibility remaining in 2003.
"I really feel like we have one of the strongest fields that we have had in some time," tournament chairman Bob Kimble said. "It was a really difficult selection process, because we had 45 eligible All-Americans to choose from this year."
The record-high 29 golfers represent 25 different universities and will play on El Paso Country Club's par-71, 6,781-yard golf course. Dahl is one of only six Southeastern Conference golfers to be selected for the tourney hosted by the Sun Bowl Association.
"This is a wonderful opportunity for Andrew to be showcased in a national spotlight," Arkansas head coach Mike Ketcham said. "To be surrounded by All-Americans is quite an experience. On top of being a great golf tournament, the golfers will get to spend a lot of time together and build camaraderie while they have fun. It's a great reward for his outstanding play last year."
Last year Dahl paced the Razorback team with a stroke average of 71.7 and recorded seven top 10 finishes, including two victories. At the NCAA Championships he tied for 10th with a seven-over-par 295 and earned second-team All-America honors. During the 2003 fall campaign he has already posted a top five finish at the Topy Cup in Japan.
The All-America Golf Classic marks the second individual tournament Dahl has been invited to compete in. Over the summer he excelled when he represented the United States in the U.S. v. Japan matches in Tokyo, Japan.
Dahl is the 10th UA golfer to be chosen for the tournament and joins an impressive list of former Razorback golfers who had the honor of competing in El Paso, including John Daly (1986), Greg Reid (1988), Brenden Pappas (1991), Jack O'Keefe (1991-92), David White (1992), Bud Still (1993-94), Steven Bright (1994), Tag Ridings (1996) and Craig Lile (2000).
Throughout the years, many College All-America Golf Classic competitors have gone on to pursue successful careers in the Professional Golfers' Association of America and on the PGA Tour. Some of the past champions include Ricky Barnes (2000), Notah Begay (1994), David Duval (1991), Matt Kuchar (1999), Davis Love III (1984), Jerry Pate (1974) and Tiger Woods (1995).
Before Dahl travels to El Paso, Texas he will help Arkansas wrap up its fall season with the Country Club of Louisiana Intercollegiate on October 26-28.
