Rebels to battle nation’s best

Victoria Sun

Wednesday, May 29, 2002 | 9:05 a.m.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Omen may be too strong of a word. But the fact the UNLV men's golf team teed off today just behind top-ranked Georgia Tech, 2000 NCAA Champion Oklahoma State, powerful Clemson and Mountain West Conference rival New Mexico could be a good sign according to Rebels coach Dwaine Knight.

UNLV, seeded eighth among the 30 teams, is paired with North Carolina and Tulsa for the first two rounds of the NCAA Men's Golf Championships that started today at Ohio State University's Scarlet Course.

"We haven't played with either one of them, but both of them are obviously playing well," Knight said. "I know North Carolina has a storied history.

"We're playing with the best teams and I think that's great."

The Yellowjackets and second-ranked Tigers -- both of the ACC -- tied for first at the NCAA's East Regional. Both are heavy favorites to win the team title.

New Mexico and Washington leapfrogged the Rebels during the final round of the West Regional to finish tied for first while UNLV finished third.

Clemson is led by D.J. Trahan and Gregg Jones. Georgia Tech's attack will be headed by Troy Mattheson, Kris Mikkelsen (who finished fourth at last year's championship) and Matt Weibring.

"They're used to winning," Knight said.

"They were in the hunt last year. They've got a lot of experience playing at this level. We're a totally different team than the one where we won it in 1998. This is a team that doesn't have a lot of experience, but we're playing well right now."

Shortly after the Rebels arrived Saturday, Clark Corbett, the team's lone senior, contracted a mild stomach flu.

Knight said Clark has been mindful of his diet and is feeling better.

The team's final practice round was shortened to nine holes because of rain and thunderstorms on Tuesday. But the Rebels have played enough here to know what to expect.

UNLV won the Kepler Intercollegiate at the Scarlet Course in April.

Junior Brien Davis teed off first, followed by freshman J.C. Deacon, sophomore Brandon Askew, Corbett and freshman Ryan Moore.

"We have seen the course," Knight said. "I think they're ready to go. The rough is up; it's going to be a real test to keep the ball in play.

"The best teams in the country are here. For us, I'm real proud of the team getting back here and having the opportunity. I want to see how they stand up to the test.

"At this level, you're really trying to play the golf course. It's a hard golf course. There's no tricks to it. That's what a championship course should be."