June 2, 2000
Opelika, AL -
Cal senior Robert Hamilton shot a 1-over-par 73 in the third round for a three-round total of 217 in the NCAA Golf Championships at the Grand National Golf Course in Opelika, AL. He was one of five players, along with Cal freshman J.R. Ruda, who were at even par after the first two rounds of the golf tournament and staged a playoff Friday morning for three spots in the finals.
Hamilton is well off the pace at tied for 50th place among the 84-man field, but Cal head coach Steve Desimone said he had several chances during the round. "Robert had five birdies today, but he also hit three balls in the water and that cost him dearly."
In a correction from an earlier release from the host school Auburn, Cal finished on Thursday with a 7-over-par score of 583 which placed it tied for 17th place and just a single stroke out of the Top 15 which all advanced to the final two rounds of the NCAA Championships on Friday and Saturday. Cal's score of 283 on Thursday was the fourth best score of the day and had the Bears within an eyelash of a startling comeback from a disappointing 12-over round of 300 on Wednesday.
"Our kids played their hearts out.," said Desimone. "They just dug in and would not quit. I have so much respect for these players and I'm so proud of them. I can't tell you how many positive comments I received about our team and the character of our players. It's been one hell of a year."
