[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 8]
[Senate]
[Page 11085]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                AUGUSTA STATE UNIVERSITY MEN'S GOLF TEAM

 Mr. CHAMBLISS. Mr. President, today I congratulate the Augusta 
State University men's golf team on their historic NCAA Championship 
win last week.
  On June 6, 2010, Augusta State beat Oklahoma State 3-3-1 in the 
championship match of the 112th NCAA Division I Championships.
  ASU's Henrik Norlander, Patrick Reed, Mitch Krywulycz, Taylor Floyd 
and Carter Newman had already defeated No. 3 Georgia Tech and the No. 2 
Florida State to bring them to the championship. All that was left now 
was Oklahoma State, the No. 1 team in the country.
  The win seemed unlikely. Oklahoma State was not only ranked higher, 
but had more funding, more experience and more championship titles. 
They were giants in the golf world.
  In addition, Taylor Floyd was sick. So sick, that it seemed as though 
he couldn't play.
  But Augusta State was determined. They had tried to win 11 times 
before this and failed. This was their year to win.
  So, at the Honors Course just north of Chattanooga, TN, ASU did just 
that. Its win was not only the first NCAA championship title in Augusta 
State's history, but also marked the team's 10th straight top-five 
finish of the season.
  And they deserved to win. Throughout the tournament they played with 
heart, played with courage and played with sportsmanship. They became 
giants on that course.
  They not only made Augusta State proud but the Augusta and the State 
of Georgia proud.
  But no one could be prouder than ASU's head coach Josh Gregory. As 
tears pooled in his eyes, he said, ``This means everything. This is a 
dream come true, and they are incredible players.''
  Gregory's commitment and dedication to his team has resulted in four 
NCAA championships appearances, the most by any coach in school 
history.
  We can all be inspired by the story of this small school and its 
struggle to victory. Its hard work and perseverance is unparalleled, 
and I am grateful that they have represented our state so well.
  Once again, I would like to offer my congratulations to the Augusta 
State University team on this special occasion, and wish its players 
the best of luck as they defend this title over the next year.
 Mr. ISAKSON. Mr. President, today I honor in the Senate the 
men's golf team at Augusta State University and congratulate them on 
their new title--National Champions.
  On June 6, 2010, Henrik Norlander, Patrick Reed, Mitch Krywulycz, 
Taylor Floyd, and Carter Newman won the National Collegiate Athletic 
Association Division I National Championship in dramatic fashion at The 
Honors Course in Ooltewah, TN. These fine young men played outstanding 
golf throughout the entire tournament, including wins against the No. 3 
seed Georgia Tech and the No. 2 seed Florida State. However, in the 
final match, they soared and played like true professionals. The team 
defeated 10-time national champion and No. 1 seed Oklahoma State to 
bring home the trophy. This is the first of no doubt many national 
championships to come for Augusta State University.
  In addition, on June 15, 2010, Coach Josh Gregory was named Coach of 
the Year by the Golf Coaches Association of America. Coach Gregory has 
played such a vital role in the team's success, and I am proud to honor 
him. Coach Gregory recently completed his eighth year as Director of 
Golf and Head Men's Golf Coach at ASU and has guided the Jaguars to the 
best season in school history this year. ASU posted four tournament 
victories, matched the highest national ranking in school history at 
No. 2, and registered 10 consecutive top-five finishes to close out the 
season.
  I salute this team on their work ethic, including playing through 
illness, and their big win as a result of their efforts. I am pleased 
to acknowledge the great achievement of these young men and to extend 
my deepest congratulations.

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