October 4, 1998

Columbia, Mo. -- - For the fourth year in a row, some of the best collegiate golfers in the nation are coming to St. Louis, Mo. The Missouri Bluffs Golf Club and the University of Missouri men's golf team will host the fourth annual Missouri Bluffs Intercollegiate Tournament, Oct. 11-12. Play gets underway Sunday with 36 holes of action, beginning at 8:15 a.m. Sunday's second round begins at 1:30 p.m. Monday's final round begins at 8:15 a.m.

Becoming known as one of the premier fall collegiate tournaments, the Bluffs will feature a 15-team field, including two that are currently ranked among the nation's top 25. Headlining the field, along with host Missouri, are 12th-ranked Minnesota and #22 California. Other teams vying for the title include Air Force, Arkansas State, Baylor, Colorado, Kansas, Kent State, North Carolina-Charlotte, Purdue, Rice, Southwest Louisiana, Tulsa and Virginia Tech.

Two of the nation's top 25-ranked individuals are scheduled to compete, as well. Leading the way is 3rd-ranked James McLean of Minnesota. McLean is the defending NCAA champion, winning the title last year in Albuquerque, N.M. by one stroke. He won the four-round event by firing a 17-under total of 271, besting such big names as Joel Kribel of Stanford and Matt Kuchar of Georgia Tech. Also scheduled to compete is the #25-ranked golfer, Chris Thompson of Kansas. Thompson is the defending Bluffs champion, as he tied last year with Derek Gillespie of Arizona with a three-round total of 210 (3-under).

Missouri's top threat to challenge for the leaderboard is St. Louis native DAVID SUGGS (Chesterfield, Mo.). Suggs leads the Tigers with a 73.33 stroke average, and is familiar with the Bluffs' par-71, 7,047-yard layout - he tied for 12th last year at the 1997 Missouri Bluffs, with a three-round total of 217 (76-69-72) - just seven strokes off the pace. Other current Tigers who competed last year include junior CAREY HEITMAN (T-61st with a 233 total) and sophomore BLAYNE ROSELY (T-66th, 234). Additionally, three returning Tigers competed last year as individuals: ANDY ESPE (T-66th, 234), ETHAN ROST (T-69th, 237) and TOM VOGT (74th, 239).

Arizona claimed last year's tournament title, with a three-round team total of 858 (287-285-286), besting runner-up Arkansas (289-290-290=869) by 11 strokes. Rounding out the top five were Oklahoma (T-3rd, 870), Texas A&M (T-3rd, 870) and Kansas (5th, 874).

Famed golf course architect Tom Fazio designed the Missouri Bluffs Golf Club. It is located on the southeast corner of Highway 94 and Interstate 64 (Highway 40), overlooking the Missouri River, in St. Charles County. The headquarters hotel will be the St. Louis Marriott West (314/878-2747), located across the river in west St. Louis County.

All golf fans are invited to come watch some of the best amateurs in the nation this Sunday and Monday - there is no admission fee.

DATE: Oct. 11-12, 1998

HOST: University of Missouri

COURSE: Missouri Bluffs Golf Club (314/939-6494) Par: 71 Yardage: 7,047 Course Rating: 74 Slope: 140 Course Record: 66 (collegiate record)

LOCATION: St. Charles, Mo. (St. Louis suburb)

PARTICIPANTS: (1997 Team Score/Finish in Parentheses)

Air Force (12th - 904)

Arkansas State

Baylor (8th - 885)

#22 California

Colorado (10th - 891)

Kansas (5th - 874)

Kent State

#12 Minnesota

Missouri (11th - 899)

North Carolina-Charlotte

Purdue

Rice (T-13th - 907)

SW Louisiana (T-13th - 907)

Tulsa (6th - 878)

Virginia Tech (7th - 879)

LAST YEAR'S TEAM AND INDIVIDUAL WINNERS: Team: Arizona (287-285-286=858) Individual: Derek Gillespie, Arizona (70-70-70=210) & Chris Thompson, Kansas (70-69-71=210) Lowest Round: 66, Hank Kuehne, SMU (1st) & 66, Rory Sabbatini, Arizona (2nd)

RESULTS: Results will be available via FAX-on-DEMAND. Call 770/399-3074 from your fax machine. When asked for a passcode, enter 1212 (Big 12 Conference). The document number for Missouri Golf results is #1777. Results should be updated by 7:30 p.m. the first day, and by 5:00 p.m. the second day. All local media will be faxed directly from the course updated scores on the tournament following each day of competition.

MISSOURI BLUFFS INFO: The Missouri Bluffs Golf Club has a site on the Internet. Those interested in learning more about the Bluffs can point their web browser to: http://www.mobluffs.com