Monday, May 21, 2007

Kirk Wins The Ben Hogan Award
Georgia senior earns honor based on collegiate and amateur success

NORMAN, Okla. ?  Colonial Country Club and The Friends of Golf (FOG) in cooperation with the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA), has named Georgia senior Chris Kirk the recipient of the 2007 The Ben Hogan Award. The most prestigious award in men?s college golf, The Hogan is presented annually to the top men?s NCAA Division I, II or III, NAIA or junior college golfer taking into account all collegiate and amateur competitions during the last 12 months.

A Hogan Award finalist and PING First-Team All-American last year, Kirk has won four collegiate events - the Carpet Capital Collegiate, the Western Refining College All-America Classic, the Schenkel E-Z-GO Invitational and the Linger Longer - during his senior season. During his victory at The All-America Classic, Kirk set a tournament and school record with an 18-under-par 195. He also posted a three of third-place showings this season. Kirk represented the United States at both the Palmer Cup and the World Amateur Team Championship last year and will compete in the Palmer Cup again this summer. Georgia?s record holder with seven career wins, Kirk hails from Woodstock, Ga.

?I was ready to turn pro last year, but coming to the Hogan banquet last year and not win gave me something that I wanted to come back and accomplish,? said Kirk. ?I?m glad I came back for my senior season at the University of Georgia. I?ve really enjoyed the time with the team and had fun in Athens. To win this award is really special.?