Opportunity of a Lifetime: Snedeker in the Masters

Opportunity of a Lifetime: Snedeker in the Masters

4/7/2004

Opportunity of a Lifetime: Snedeker in the Masters

AUGUSTA, Ga. — Brandt Snedeker, the Commodores’ first All-American and 2003 SEC Player of the Year, is living the dream of all golfers this week.

Snedeker, a 2003 Vanderbilt graduate, opens play Thursday morning in the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club. The tournament, co-founded by legendary golfer Bobby Jones in 1934, is one of golf’s four majors and arguably the sports’ most prestigious competition.

Snedeker, who was featured in the April 12th edition of ESPN the Magazine, is one of five amateurs in the Masters field. He qualified for the invitational after winning the 2003 U.S. Public Links Championships in convincing fashion last summer in New Jersey.

Snedeker is paired with 1992 Masters champion Fred Couples and 2001 PGA champion David Toms in the first round. The trio is expected to tee off No. 1 at 8:17 a.m., CST.

While the pressure of the Masters will be new to the Nashville native, Snedeker is familiar with the difficult Augusta National layout. He enters play Thursday with nearly 40 practice rounds under his belt, including 18 holes Tuesday with a pair of former champions, German Bernhard Langer and native Georgian Larry Mize.

Vanderbilt men’s golf coach Press McPhaul walked 18 holes with his star pupil Monday.

“Brandt appears very comfortable with the surroundings. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that Brandt has every intention of thoroughly enjoying. He’s excited just like I am, but Brandt is looking forward to the competition. From what I saw Monday, Brandt sure looked comfortable. He is doing a wonderful job of handling his first appearance at the Masters,” McPhaul added.

Snedeker grew up playing junior golf in Middle Tennessee. Like most Southerners, he dreamt of driving up Magnolia Lane to play in this one event. On Thursday, those closest to Brandt will share in the experience. His older brother, former Ole Miss All-SEC golfer and current assistant district attorney Haymes Snedeker, will carry his clubs. From the No. 1 tee box, Brandt’s mom and dad, Larry and Candice Snedeker, will lead a large contingent of well-wishing relatives and close friends.

As a participating amateur, Snedeker will enjoy Augusta National like few others. His accommodations include the Crow’s Nest, a 1,200-square foot room above the clubhouse that is annually reserved for the elite amateur field.

As Snedeker prepares for the most important round of his life, here’s a brief look back at his top golf accomplishments leading to this week’s Masters.

As a Commodore:
? First Commodore First-Team All-American – 2003; two-time All-American selection.
? Named 2003 SEC Male Golfer of the Year; three-time All-SEC selection
? Spent time in 2003 ranked No. 1 in nation by both Golfstat and in the Golfweek/Sagarin Poll
? After making his third consecutive appearance at the NCAA East Regional, played in two NCAA Championships
? Won three consecutive collegiate invitationals in fall of 2003. Also carded 16 rounds in the 60s, including a stretch of eight consecutive rounds.
? Claimed his first collegiate tournament championship with a 12-under-par score of 198 at the Mason Rudolph Championship. The score of 198 is the best individual performance in Vanderbilt history.
? Finished first at the Tennessee Tournament of Champions, firing a 12-under-par score of 204

Snedeker’s Top Amateur Achievements:
? Won the 2003 U.S. Public Links Championship
? Qualified for the 2000, 2001 & 2003 U.S. Amateur Championship
? Participated in the 2003 Porter Cup and 2003 Palmer Cup teams.
? Represented United States as a member of 2002 USA vs. Japan Collegiate Golf Championship. He lead the USA to a 31-29 victory by going 3-0 in his matches.
(Note: Snedeker is thought to be the first Vanderbilt graduate to participate in the Masters. A current member of the Commodore squad, freshman Luke List of Ringgold, Ga., also has experience in the golf’s major tournaments. In 2003, List qualified for the United States Open at Olympia Fields Country Club near Chicago.)