April 22, 2007

• 2007 ACC Men's Golf Championship Site
• Final Results

NEW LONDON, N.C. - Virginia Tech came from behind after being in a tie for fourth place going into the final round to tie Georgia Tech for the team title at the 54th annual Atlantic Coast Conference Championship played at the Old North State Club at Uwharrie Point. The Hokies fired a nine-under-par 279 in the final round while the Yellow Jackets carded a four-under 284.

"I was so proud of these guys before the tournament ever started, because of the focus that they showed in trying to prepare for this championship," said Virginia Tech head coach Jay Hardwick. "This week certainly puts things in perspective and shows how insignificant winning actually is. But, we hope in some small way this will help to start the healing process for our Hokie family.

The show of support from my fellow coaches, the other teams in the ACC, the Atlantic Coast Conference office and the members and staff at Old North State made it possible for us to get through this week."

Georgia Tech Bruce Heppler said, "I'm not sure I want to go back out there and play Virginia Tech (i.e.: in a playoff). "Sometimes in life, things are supposed to work out the way they are supposed to. Their kids played an unbelievable event and had an unbelievable day. For them to take that trophy home will do their school and their athletic program a bunch of good. I'm happy for them. Jay has done a great job. All you can do is do your best and we ended up tied. This is the best we've played all year. It's a good motivator for us going into regionals, so I'm real happy with the week."

Cameron Tringale of Georgia Tech sank a two-foot birdie putt on the par-5 18th hole to give the Yellow Jackets a tie for the team championship, but his three-under 69 left him one stroke shy of defending his individual championship from last year. Jonas Blixt of Florida State fired a seven-under 65 for an eight under 208 total to claim the individual title. Blixt's 65, which included seven birdies, one eagle and two bogies, ties the single-round course record of 65 set by Georgia Tech's Cameron Tringale in the second round of the 2006 ACC Championship.

Virginia Tech's Ryan Sypniewski and Clemson's Kyle Stanley tied for third place with six-under 210 totals, just one stroke behind Tringale's total of 209. North Carolina's Martin Ureta, the leader going into the final round, carded a two-over 74 for a three-under 213 to tie for fifth place with Georgia Tech's Roberto Castro. Chris McCartin of Wake Forest and Tanner Ervin of Clemson tied for seventh place at two-under 214 while NC State's Nathan Spoon, Duke's Jake Grodzinsky and Georgia Tech's Chesson Hadley tied for ninth place at one-under 215.

Clemson finished in third place in the team standings with a six-under 858 total after carding a three-under 285 in the final round. Florida State and Duke tied for fourth place at one-under 863. Florida State fired a nine-under 279 in the final round to tie Virginia Tech for the day's low round. North Carolina finished in sixth place at five-over 869 while NC State finished seventh at 874, Wake Forest finished eighth at 876, Virginia finished ninth at 878, Maryland finished 10th at 910 and Boston College finished 11th with a 913 total.

This was Virginia Tech's first ACC men's golf championship and Georgia Tech's 10th. Georgia Tech and North Carolina tied for last year's team championship. This marks the first time an individual from Florida State has claimed the individual title. The Old North State Club, which features a par 72, 7,102-yard layout, featured ideal conditions throughout the 54 holes.

The teams and coaches wore Duke blue ribbons in memory of the late Duke head coach Rod Myers, who passed away on March 30, 2007. They also wore black wrist bands in observance of the tragic events that took place at Virginia Tech earlier in the week.