FLORENCE, SC - The Francis Marion University men’s golf team will conclude its 2008-09 season when the Patriots play in the 22nd-annual Cavalier Classic, hosted by the University of Virginia, on Saturday and Sunday (April 25-26) at the par-72, 6,875-yard Birdwood Golf Course in Charlottesville.

Francis Marion owns a 94-49-2 record this season, including four Top-5 finishes in 10 events.

The 18-team field for this year’s tournament includes Akron, Appalachian State, Augusta State, East Carolina, FMU, George Mason, James Madison, Liberty, Longwood, Maryland, Radford, Rutgers, Seton Hall, South Carolina, Towson, UNC Wilmington and Villanova.

The host Cavaliers will attempt to win their third straight team title after posting back-to-back wins in 2007 and 2008. The 36-hole tournament will feature 18 holes of competition on Saturday and Sunday. Both rounds will begin at 8 a.m. from the first tee.

Francs Marion is scheduled to begin play Saturday at 8:45 a.m. and will be paired with James Madison and Liberty.

The Patriots’ five-man team will consist of junior Christopher Couch (74.57 stroke average) and four seniors: Keith Crowley (74.82), Andrew Pitcher (74.86), Peter McGibney (75.11), and Ronan O’Connor (76.40). Junior Matt Jackson (75.64) will compete as an individual.

2009 Cavalier Classic – Tee Times (Nine-minute intervals between groups)

8:00 a.m.         Individuals

8:45 a.m.         James Madison, Liberty, Francis Marion

9:30 a.m.         Virginia, South Carolina, Augusta State

10:15 a.m.       East Carolina, Maryland, UNC Wilmington

11:00 a.m.       Seton Hall, Radford, Longwood

11:45 a.m.       Appalachian State, Rutgers, Akron

12:30 p.m.       George Mason, Villanova, Towson

All-Time Cavalier Classic Results

(1986-2008)

Team Champions

1986   Furman                                     301-311-307=919  

1987   NC State                                  309-291-299=899  

1988   Virginia                                     292-295-296=883  

1989   East Tennessee St.                 298-285-298=881  

1990   Virginia                                     296-286-285=867    

1991   Georgia Tech                           292-290-281=863    

1992   Georgia Tech                           289-294-285=868    

1993   Georgia Tech                           294-290-291=875  

1994   Georgia Tech                           279-284-296=859    

1995   NC State                                  288-296-288=872    

1995F Virginia                                     291-295-279=865    

           SMU                                         296-289-280=865

1996$ North Carolina                          285-283-277=845    

1997$ Virginia                                     281-278-295=856    

1998$ North Carolina                          274-277-280=831  

1999   Wake Forest                             285-280-292=857    

2001   East Tennessee St.                 288-294=582    

2004   UNC Wilmington                       287-290-293=870    

2005   William & Mary                         293-299-300=892  

2006   Maryland                                  295-281-295=871

2007   Virginia                                     292-285-291=868

2008   Virginia                                     282-293=575

Key:

$ Played at Keswick Club (par 71)

There were two Classics in 1995 (distinguished by F for Fall)

#133/4-23-09