Swift Helps Alabama Take Lead Following

2007 USGA Men's State Team Championship's Second Round

The Woodlands, Texas – Will Swift shot his second consecutive sub-par round to give Alabama a two-stroke lead after Wednesday’s second round at the 2007 USGA Men’s State Team Championship, being played at the par-72, 7,190-yard Fazio Course at The Club at Carlton Woods.

Swift, who opened with a 5-under 67, opened with three consecutive birdies en route to a 2-under 70 Wednesday. Talbert Griffin added a 1-under 71 to give Alabama a second-round total of 141 for a two-day 281, two strokes clear of South Carolina and first-round leader Texas.

The two-day total of 137 by Swift is also the low individual effort in the championship thus far.

“I think I can play a little better,” said Swift. “I left a lot of putts out there.”

Steve Liebler watches his putt during his second round. Liebler shot a 4-under 68 Wednesday to help South Carolina finish two strokes off the lead. (Fred Vuich/USGA)

Alabama’s third team member, Steve Hudson, who had a 1-over 73 in the first round, finished with a 3-over 75 that did not count toward the team total. Swift and Hudson were also members of Alabama’s 2005 runner-up team. That year, Hudson’s final-round 66 helped lift Alabama to its second-place finish.

Griffin, the lone rookie on Alabama’s 2007 team, was happy to contribute to the team’s effort.

“It feels real good,” said Griffin, who opened with a first-round 75. “For them, I wanted to get a score that counted.”

Despite holding the lead after two rounds, the Alabama team knows it will have to continue its good play to bring the Men’s State Team trophy home for the first time.

“There’s no doubt in my mind that we are going to have to play as good as we can to win,” said Swift. “We can’t play a mediocre third round and beat these other teams near the lead.”

For a while Wednesday, it looked like Texas' team of Trip Kuehne, Jonathan Mathias and Terrence Miskell was building a lead that would be difficult for the rest of the field to overcome. Through the first nine holes of the second round, the Lone Star State’s trio was nine under par.

But they all cooled off on their second nine holes. Mathias finished at even-par 72 and Kuehne was five over for his last 10 holes en route to a 2-over 74, a score matched by Miskell. The home team stands at 5-under 283.

“I was in a position to shoot a fairly good score today and for us to really separate ourselves from the field, and I didn’t do it,” Kuehne said. “So now I’ll have to go out and have a good round tomorrow.”

South Carolina, which trailed Texas by eight strokes after the first round, was led by a 4-under 68 from Steve Liebler and a 2-under 70 from Rick Cloninger.

“We just knew we needed to throw out a couple under-par rounds,” said Cloninger, who eagled the fourth hole with a wedge from 130 yards to highlight his round. “You just need something to trigger it.”

Jonathan Mathias of Texas shot an even-par 72 Wednesday to help the home team remain in the hunt. (Fred Vuich/USGA)

Things went so well for South Carolina that a 1-under 71 from Brent Roof did not toward the team’s second-round score.

“That’s a rarity, I’m sure,” said Liebler of South Carolina’s not counting a sub-par round. “That speaks to the consistency of the way all of us played. We were talking at dinner last night about what it would take to get back into it. We thought we could get back into the hunt with some 68s.”

Although this is the first time Cloninger is representing South Carolina, he is no newcomer to the State Team Championship, having previously played for Florida and Georgia. Liebler, a semifinalist at the 2005 U.S. Mid-Amateur, previously represented South Carolina in 2001. Roof is a State Team rookie.

Georgia, led by a 2-under 70 from Mark Strickland and an even-par from David Noll Jr., stood one stroke back of the leaders at 4-under 284. Georgia has posted two consecutive team rounds of 2-under 142.

Maryland, bolstered by a 4-under 68 from Brad Hastings and a 2-under 70 from Richard Holland, was four strokes back, as was 2003 champion Tennessee.

Two-time U.S. Mid-Amateur winner Tim Jackson played a bogey-free 2-under 70 to lead Tennessee’s charge, and 1999 U.S. Mid-Am champion Danny Green added a 3-over 75.

“I think we’re going to be right there,” said Jackson of Tennessee’s hopes of winning another USGA Men’s State Team title. “I think if we can shoot around 6 under tomorrow we’ll have a good chance.”

The Men’s State Team championship, which concludes with the third round Thursday, is one of the national championships conducted by the United States Golf Association. Fifty-two teams, from all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia, are entered. In each of the three, 18-hole stroke play rounds, the two lowest scores by players from each team constitute the team score for each round. The 54-hole total is the team’s score for the Championship, which is conducted by the United States Golf Association.

Story written by Beth Murrison of USGA Media Relations. E-mail her at bmurrison@usga.org with questions or comments.

The Woodlands, Texas – Results following Wednesday’s second round at the 2007 USGA Men’s State Team Championship at the 7,190-yard, par-72 Fazio Course at The Club at Carlton Woods. Two of three individual scores count toward the team score each day.

Alabama 140-141--281; Will Swift, Hoover, 67-70--137; Talbert Griffin, Birmingham, 75-71--146; Steve Hudson, Birmingham, 73-75--148

Texas 137-146--283; Jonathan Mathias, San Antonio, 69-72--141; Trip Kuehne, Irving, 68-74--142; Terrence Miskell, New Braunfels, 72-74--146

South Carolina 145-138--283; Brent Roof, Columbia, 71-71--142; Steve Liebler, Irmo, 74-68--142; Rick Cloninger, Fort Mill, 76-70--146

Georgia 142-142--284; David Noll Jr., Dalton, 69-72--141; Mark Strickland, Woodstock, 73-70--143; Jeff Belk, Marietta, 73-81--154

Tennessee 140-145--285; Tim Jackson, Germantown, 73-70--143; Thomas Smith, Chattanooga, 67-81--148; Danny Green, Jackson, 74-75--149

Maryland 147-138--285; Terry Burke, Bethesda, 72-72--144; Richard Holland, Bethesda, 75-70--145; Brad Hastings, Easton, 79-68--147

Virginia 144-143--287; Keith Decker, Martinsville, 72-71--143; Jon Hurst, Fredericksburg, 72-72--144; Pat Tallent, Vienna, 72-72--144

Colorado 145-142--287; Scott Mendelsohn, Parker, 71-72--143; Ryan Anderson, Greeley, 74-70--144; David Delich, Colorado Springs, 80-74--154

Ohio 142-146--288; Peter Samborsky II, Dayton, 72-72--144; Wes Homan, Cincinnati, 70-79--149; Jason Gerken, Logan, 76-74--150

Washington 144-144--288; Erik Hanson, Kirkland, 72-72--144; John Cassidy III, Yelm, 72-73--145; Zack Shriver, Marysville, 75-72--147

Oregon 141-147--288; Tim Sundseth, Redmond, 70-70--140; Adam Hagen, Scappoose, 71-78--149; Brandon Kearney, Bend, 78-77--155

Massachusetts 146-142--288; Bill Drohen, Stoughton, 73-71--144; Frank Vana Jr., Boylston, 73-71--144; Kevin Quinn, Needham, 77-76--153

Florida 148-140--288; Chris Condello, Heathrow, 75-68--143; Jon Veneziano, Mount Dora, 80-72--152; Jeff Golden, Winter Park, 73-82--155

Wisconsin 143-146--289; Pat Boyle, South Milwaukee, 73-70--143; Matt Behm, Janesville, 70-76--146; Bob Gregorski, Menasha, 74-76--150

Louisiana 144-145--289; Robby Going, Lake Charles, 71-74--145; Robby McWilliams, Bossier City, 73-75--148; Tommy Brennan, Covington, 77-71--148

New Hampshire 150-139--289; Craig Steckowych, Greenland, 76-69--145; Dan Arvanitis, Manchester, 78-70--148; Phil Pleat, Nashua, 74-76--150

Illinois 150-140--290; Todd Mitchell, Bloomington, 77-66--143; Mark Esposito, Naperville, 73-74--147; Dave Ryan, Springfield, 77-74--151

Wyoming 144-147--291; Steve White, Jackson, 72-73--145; Todd Griffin, Casper, 72-74--146; Mike Urbatchka, Cody, 84-85--169

Iowa 144-147--291; Justin Schulte, Waukee, 72-72--144; Jon Brown, Urbandale, 72-75--147; Nate Dunn, Cedar Rapids, 76-76--152

Oklahoma 147-145--292; Alan Bratton, Stillwater, 71-69--140; Bill Jackson, Oklahoma City, 76-76--152; Sam MacNaughton, Edmond, 77-77--154

Puerto Rico 152-140--292; Alfred Colon, Guaynabo, 75-70--145; Leopoldo Garcia, Guaynabo, 85-70--155; Luis de La Haba, San Juan, 77-83--160

Arkansas 144-148--292; Wes McNulty, Pine Bluff, 71-73--144; Chris Jenkins, Little Rock, 73-75--148; Bev Hargraves, Helena, 74-77--151

North Carolina 144-149--293; David Strawn, Charlotte, 70-76--146; Paul Simson, Raleigh, 74-73--147; Dale Fuller, Raleigh, 74-78--152

Utah 142-151--293; Kirk Siddens, Salt Lake City, 70-75--145; Jeff Jolley, Pleasant Grove, 72-76--148; Dan Horner, Salt Lake City, 74-79--153

Missouri 147-146--293; Darren Lundgren, Ballwin, 73-70--143; B.J. Curry, Sedalia, 74-76--150; Ben Godwin, Poplar Bluff, 77-79--156

South Dakota 143-150--293; Ryan Jansa, Sioux Falls, 71-70--141; Steven Klock, Sioux Falls, 72-82--154; Michael Martin, Brookings, 76-80--156

Pennsylvania 148-146--294; Nathan Smith, Pittsburgh, 72-74--146; Arnie Cutrell, Greensburg, 76-72--148; Chris Gallagher, West Chester, 77-77--154

Nevada 149-145--294; Brady Exber, Las Vegas, 72-72--144; Frank Acker, Henderson, 77-73--150; David Nelson, Reno, 79-75--154

Rhode Island 146-148--294; Charles Blanchard, Tiverton, 70-72--142; Jason Pannone, East Greenwich, 76-76--152; John Drohen, Cranston, 85-78--163

Michigan 147-147--294; Russell Cunningham, Dewitt, 72-75--147; Tom Werkmeister, Kentwood, 75-72--147; Greg Davies, West Bloomfield, 75-75--150

New Mexico 146-148--294; Matt Williams, Rio Rancho, 71-73--144; Patrick Hanlon, Las Cruces, 75-75--150; Anton Salome, Socorro, 79-75--154

West Virginia 148-147--295; John Duty Jr., Morgantown, 73-73--146; Patrick Carter, Huntington, 75-74--149; Tad Tomblin, Charleston, 78-88--166

California 145-152--297; Jeremy Gearhart, Atascadero, 72-76--148; Brian Edick, Valencia, 73-76--149; Jordan Nasser, Anaheim, 76-77--153

Minnesota 151-146--297; Jim Lehman, Golden Valley, 74-76--150; Wayne Severud, Maple Grove, 77-74--151; Tom Jenkins, Plymouth, 79-72--151

Nebraska 146-152--298; Jayson Brueggemann, Lincoln, 72-76--148; John Sajevic, Fremont, 74-78--152; Patrick Duffy, Omaha, 78-76--154

Connecticut 146-152--298; Bill Hermanson, East Lyme, 69-78--147; Jeffrey Hedden, Quaker Hill, 77-74--151; Tom Scarrozzo, Avon, 77-79--156

Mississippi 152-146--298; Steve Wilson, Ocean Springs, 77-72--149; Ricky Sims, Canton, 76-74--150; Clay Homan, Starkville, 76-78--154

New Jersey 155-144--299; Michael Deo, Bedminster, 78-70--148; Jay Blumenfeld, Parsippany, 77-74--151; Brian Komline, Morris Plains, 78-78--156

Delaware 149-150--299; Tom Borsello, Wilmington, 73-75--148; Mark Surtees, Middletown, 76-75--151; Tim Freeh, Milton, 77-75--152

North Dakota 146-153--299; Rick Kuhn, Bismarck, 72-77--149; Mike Huber, Bismarck, 74-76--150; Jeff Lamp, Fargo, 77-80--157

New York 147-153--300; Tony Hejna, Buffalo, 73-75--148; Adam Fuchs, Plainview, 74-78--152; Aaron Tallman, Lancaster, 78-78--156

Indiana 151-150--301; Jeff Smith, Indianapolis, 76-72--148; Chris Clemens, Beech Grove, 75-78--153; Mike Bell, Indianapolis, 82-78--160

Hawaii 144-158--302; Henry Park, Waikoloa, 74-76--150; Bradley Shigezawa, Honolulu, 70-83--153; Taeksoo Kim, Wailuku, 78-82--160

Montana 156-146--302; Spencer Williams, Great Falls, 75-74--149; Jason Johnstone, Havre, 82-72--154; Josh Gold, Kalispell, 81-77--158

Maine 151-151--302; Joseph Alvarez, Hampden, 69-77--146; Keegan Fennessy, Minot, 82-74--156; Gary Manoogian, Westbrook, 83-83--166

Kansas 148-155--303; Conrad Roberts, Lawrence, 76-75--151; Chad Judd, Olathe, 72-80--152; Derek Harrison, Wellington, 78-82--160

Arizona 153-150--303; Erik Nielsen, Tucson, 78-74--152; Rob McIver, Phoenix, 77-76--153; Camron Howell, Queen Creek, 76-83--159

Idaho 150-153--303; Ryan Bendawald, Nampa, 72-78--150; Marc Rhoades, Mccall, 82-75--157; Eric Peterson, Nampa, 78-85--163

Vermont 151-155--306; Jeff Stark, Manchester, 75-78--153; Dave Goodrich, S Burlington, 76-77--153; Peter Metzler, Killington, 77-78--155

Alaska 157-153--310; Greg Sanders, Anchorage, 79-71--150; David Hamilton, Anchorage, 78-82--160; Ross Walther, Wasilla, 82-84--166

District of Columbia 157-158--315; Kevin McDonnell, Washington, 76-81--157; Jonathan Orchin, Washington, 81-77--158; Greg Bremer, Washington, 86-84--170

Kentucky 160-160--320; Jimmy Riddle, Madisonville, 80-79--159; Greg Engle, Lexington, 81-81--162; David Rudder, Lexington, 80-87--167

The Woodlands, Texas – Pairings for Thursday’s third round at the 2007 USGA Men’s State Team Championship at the 7,190-yard, par-72 Fazio Course at The Club at Carlton Woods.

Tee 10

7:15 a.m. – David Rudder, Lexington, Ky.; Greg Bremer, Washington, D.C.

7:24 a.m. – Greg Engle, Lexington, Ky.; Jonathan Orchin, Washington, D.C.

7:33 a.m. – Jimmy Riddle, Madisonville, Ky.; Kevin McDonnell, Washington, D.C.

7:42 a.m. – Ross Walther, Wasilla, Alaska; Peter Metzler, Killington, Vt.; Derek Harrison, Wellington, Kan.

7:51 a.m. – David Hamilton, Anchorage, Alaska; Dave Goodrich, S Burlington, Vt.; Chad Judd, Olathe, Kan.

8:00 a.m. – Greg Sanders, Anchorage, Alaska; Jeff Stark, Manchester, Vt.; Conrad Roberts, Lawrence, Kan.

8:09 a.m. – Camron Howell, Queen Creek, Ariz.; Eric Peterson, Nampa, Idaho; Taeksoo Kim, Wailuku, Hawaii

8:18 a.m. – Rob McIver, Phoenix, Ariz.; Marc Rhoades, Mccall, Idaho; Bradley Shigezawa, Honolulu, Hawaii

8:27 a.m. – Erik Nielsen, Tucson, Ariz.; Ryan Bendawald, Nampa, Idaho; Henry Park, Waikoloa, Hawaii

8:36 a.m. – Gary Manoogian, Westbrook, Maine; Josh Gold, Kalispell, Mont.; Mike Bell, Indianapolis, Ind.

8:45 a.m. – Keegan Fennessy, Minot, Maine; Jason Johnstone, Havre, Mont.; Chris Clemens, Beech Grove, Ind.

8:54 a.m. – Joseph Alvarez, Hampden, Maine; Spencer Williams, Great Falls, Mont.; Jeff Smith, Indianapolis, Ind.

9:03 a.m. – Aaron Tallman, Lancaster, N.Y.; Tim Freeh, Milton, Del.; Brian Komline, Morris Plains, N.J.

9:12 a.m. – Adam Fuchs, Plainview, N.Y.; Mark Surtees, Middletown, Del.; Jay Blumenfeld, Parsippany, N.J.

9:21 a.m. – Tony Hejna, Buffalo, N.Y.; Tom Borsello, Wilmington, Del.; Michael Deo, Bedminster, N.J.

Tee 1

7:15 a.m. – Jeff Lamp, Fargo, N.D.; Tom Scarrozzo, Avon, Conn.; Patrick Duffy, Omaha, Neb.

7:24 a.m. – Mike Huber, Bismarck, N.D.; Jeffrey Hedden, Quaker Hill, Conn.; John Sajevic, Fremont, Neb.

7:33 a.m. – Rick Kuhn, Bismarck, N.D.; Bill Hermanson, East Lyme, Conn.; Jayson Brueggemann, Lincoln, Neb.

7:42 a.m. – Clay Homan, Starkville, Miss.; Tom Jenkins, Plymouth, Minn.; Jordan Nasser, Anaheim, Calif.

7:51 a.m. – Ricky Sims, Canton, Miss.; Wayne Severud, Maple Grove, Minn.; Brian Edick, Valencia, Calif.

8:00 a.m. – Steve Wilson, Ocean Springs, Miss.; Jim Lehman, Golden Valley, Minn.; Jeremy Gearhart, Atascadero, Calif.

8:09 a.m. – Tad Tomblin, Charleston, W.Va.; John Drohen, Cranston, R.I.; David Nelson, Reno, Nev.

8:18 a.m. – Patrick Carter, Huntington, W.Va.; Jason Pannone, East Greenwich, R.I.; Frank Acker, Henderson, Nev.

8:27 a.m. – John Duty Jr., Morgantown, W.Va.; Charles Blanchard, Tiverton, R.I.; Brady Exber, Las Vegas, Nev.

8:36 a.m. – Chris Gallagher, West Chester, Pa.; Greg Davies, West Bloomfield, Mich.; Anton Salome, Socorro, N.M.

8:45 a.m. – Arnie Cutrell, Greensburg, Pa.; Tom Werkmeister, Kentwood, Mich.; Patrick Hanlon, Las Cruces, N.M.

8:54 a.m. – Nathan Smith, Pittsburgh, Pa.; Russell Cunningham, Dewitt, Mich.; Matt Williams, Rio Rancho, N.M.

Tee 10

12:00 p.m. – Michael Martin, Brookings, S.D.; Ben Godwin, Poplar Bluff, Mo.

12:09 p.m. – Steven Klock, Sioux Falls, S.D.; B.J. Curry, Sedalia, Mo.

12:18 p.m. – Ryan Jansa, Sioux Falls, S.D.; Darren Lundgren, Ballwin, Mo.

12:27 p.m. – Dan Horner, Salt Lake City, Utah; Dale Fuller, Raleigh, N.C.; Sam Mac Naughton, Edmond, Okla.

12:36 p.m. – Jeff Jolley, Pleasant Grove, Utah; Paul Simson, Raleigh, N.C.; Bill Jackson, Oklahoma City, Okla.

12:45 p.m. – Kirk Siddens, Salt Lake City, Utah; David Strawn, Charlotte, N.C.; Alan Bratton, Stillwater, Okla.

12:54 p.m. – Luis de La Haba, San Juan, PR; Bev Hargraves, Helena, Ark.; Mike Urbatchka, Cody, Wyo.

1:03 p.m. – Leopoldo Garcia, Guaynabo, PR; Chris Jenkins, Little Rock, Ark.; Todd Griffin, Casper, Wyo.

1:12 p.m. – Alfred Colon, Guaynabo, PR; Wes McNulty, Pine Bluff, Ark.; Steve White, Jackson, Wyo.

1:21 p.m. – Nate Dunn, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Dave Ryan, Springfield, Ill.; Bob Gregorski, Menasha, Wis.

1:30 p.m. – Jon Brown, Urbandale, Iowa; Mark Esposito, Naperville, Ill.; Matt Behm, Janesville, Wis.

1:39 p.m. – Justin Schulte, Waukee, Iowa; Todd Mitchell, Bloomington, Ill.; Pat Boyle, South Milwaukee, Wis.

1:48 p.m. – Phil Pleat, Nashua, N.H.; Tommy Brennan, Covington, La.; Brandon Kearney, Bend, Ore.

1:57 p.m. – Dan Arvanitis, Manchester, N.H.; Robby McWilliams, Bossier City, La.; Adam Hagen, Scappoose, Ore.

2:06 p.m. – Craig Steckowych, Greenland, N.H.; Robby Going, Lake Charles, La.; Tim Sundseth, Redmond, Ore.

Tee 1

12:00 p.m. – Zack Shriver, Marysville, Wash.; Jason Gerken, Logan, Ohio; Jeff Golden, Winter Park, Fla.

12:09 p.m. – John Cassidy III, Yelm, Wash.; Wes Homan, Cincinnati, Ohio; Jon Veneziano, Mount Dora, Fla.

12:18 p.m. – Erik Hanson, Kirkland, Wash.; Peter Samborsky II, Dayton, Ohio; Chris Condello, Heathrow, Fla.

12:27 p.m. – Kevin Quinn, Needham, Mass.; Pat Tallent, Vienna, Va.; David Delich, Colorado Springs, Colo.

12:36 p.m. – Frank Vana Jr., Boylston, Mass.; Jon Hurst, Fredericksburg, Va.; Ryan Anderson, Greeley, Colo.

12:45 p.m. – Bill Drohen, Stoughton, Mass.; Keith Decker, Martinsville, Va.; Scott Mendelsohn, Parker, Colo.

12:54 p.m. – Brad Hastings, Easton, Md.; Danny Green, Jackson, Tenn.; Jeff Belk, Marietta, Ga.

1:03 p.m. – Richard Holland, Bethesda, Md.; Thomas Smith, Chattanooga, Tenn.; Mark Strickland, Woodstock, Ga.

1:12 p.m. – Terry Burke, Bethesda, Md.; Tim Jackson, Germantown, Tenn.; David Noll Jr., Dalton, Ga.

1:21 p.m. – Rick Cloninger, Fort Mill, S.C.; Terrence Miskell, New Braunfels, Texas; Steve Hudson, Birmingham, Ala.

1:30 p.m. – Steve Liebler, Irmo, S.C.; Trip Kuehne, Irving, Texas; Talbert Griffin, Birmingham, Ala.

1:39 p.m.  – Brent Roof, Columbia, S.C.; Jonathan Mathias, San Antonio, Texas; Will Swift, Hoover, Ala.