[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 92 (Friday, June 20, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1314]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          MEN'S GOLF CHAMPIONS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. JOHN M. SPRATT, JR.

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 19, 2003

  Mr. SPRATT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the newly 
crowned NCAA Division II Men's Golf Champions, the Francis Marion 
University Patriots. On May 23, at the Crosswater Golf Club course in 
Sunriver, Oregon, the Patriots claimed victory in a four-day tournament 
over 18 of the best golf teams in the country. But, Mr. Speaker, they 
did not just win. In what can only be described as a true team effort, 
Francis Marion ran away with the title, ending the tournament with a 3 
under par 1,149, which defeated second-place Rollins College by an 
amazing 14 strokes!
  In golf, more so than in other sports, an outstanding team starts 
with outstanding individuals; and Francis Marion's squad was most 
definitely a collection of outstanding individuals. The team was led by 
coach Jonathan Burnett, a native of Florence, South Carolina who just 
finished his sixth season with the team. The players were anchored by 
Junior Fredrik Ohlsson from Goteborg, Sweden and Senior Dylan Keylock 
from Johannesburg, South Africa, who finished fifth and sixth 
respectively in the individual standings at the National Championship. 
Also playing key roles on the team were Senior Matt Dura from Sumter, 
South Carolina, Senior Juan Pablo Bossi from Alta Gracia, Argentina, 
and Junior Per Hallberg from Ytterby, Sweden, who finished an 
impressive 14th, 24th, and 44th respectively at the National 
Championship. Junior Luke Wilcox and Freshmen Adam Hart, Luke Hart, and 
Battle Hartman also contributed to the team's successes this season.
  For their efforts, Ohlsson was chosen to as a first team All 
American, Dura and Keylock were selected as third team All Americans, 
and Bossi and Hallberg gained honorable mention recognition. Keylock 
and Ohlsson also earned Peach Belt Conference All-Conference honors for 
the second time, and Dura earned Peach Belt Conference All-Tournament 
Team honors for the second time in three years.
  Though these gentlemen excelled on the links, perhaps more impressive 
was the fact that they simultaneously excelled in the classroom. In 
addition to their athletic accolades, Ohlsson, Dura, Keylock, and Bossi 
also earned 2003 academic All-America honors in marketing, management, 
finance, and business economics respectively. Only two other student 
athletes from Francis Marion have ever earned both athletic and 
academic All-America honors in the same year. I am encouraged to know 
that long after their collegiate golf careers are over, these young men 
will still be striving as economic leaders in our country. That is 
truly something worthy of the title ``All American''.
  Mr. Speaker, I am honored to have the opportunity to speak to you 
about these extraordinary young men and their extraordinary 
achievements. It is truly a privilege to represent a state that turns 
out such talented students.

                          ____________________