June 26, 2009

SUFFOLK, Va. -- Longwood University sophomore men's golfer Austin Gray/Midlothian (Monacan) advanced to the Round of 16 at the 96th Virginia State Golf Association (VSGA) State Amateur Championship at the Cedar Point Country Club this week in Suffolk.  He posted a 36-hole qualifying score of 73-71--144 at the 7,109-yard, par 72 layout while tying for 14th among the 119 golfers on Wednesday.  Gray won his Round of 32 match play pairing against Vincent Nadeau (2 and 1) of Penhook Thursday morning before falling in his Round of 16 pairing against Ben Keefer (20 holes) of Glen Allen on the second extra hole Thursday afternoon.

Gray played in just four tournaments and nine rounds during his freshman year at Longwood, averaging 80.1, including his best effort of 76-79--155 to tie for 11th-place at the Lonnie Barton Memorial Invitational in Pooler, Georgia.  Austin is the son of Brian and Theresa Gray of Midlothian, and is majoring in business finance.

Also playing in the State Am this week was senior Adam Webb/Ridgeway (Magna Vista) who tied for 50th and did not make the cut after his two-round qualifying score of 76-73--149.  He was second on the team this past year with his 74.1 average through 11 tournaments and 29 rounds.  Adam is the son of Anthony and Phyllis Webb of Ridgeway, and is majoring in history.