RAMS HOST 12th ANNUAL O.D. BOUNDS GOLF CLASSIC:

CORNETT RECEIVES LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
September 21, 2009

FORT WORTH, TX:  The 6th ranked Texas Wesleyan University men’s golf team hosted the 12th annual O.D. Bounds Golf Classic on Monday.  The event was held at Diamond Oaks Country Club, and all proceeds benefited the O.D. Bounds Endowment, which supports the golf program at Texas Wesleyan.

The event was attended by numerous alumni, friends, and family.  The tournament is named for Orrin Davis Bounds Jr. who served as head coach for the Rams for 40 years.  Bounds was a legend at Texas Wesleyan and the NAIA and was one of the most respected men in the golfing world.  He was the first coach to ever be inducted in the NAIA Hall of Fame and was the inaugural member of the Texas Wesleyan Athletic Hall of Fame.  Bounds, who passed away in 2004, led the Rams to 109 tournament victories including three national championships.

Under Bounds’ guidance, Texas Wesleyan Men’s Golf became the most storied golf program in the NAIA.  In 55 years of membership they have made 48 National Tournament appearances and have tallied a record six National Championships and nine runner-up finishes.

Bounds’ successor, Bobby Cornett, was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his work as a “student, player, coach, and friend”.  Cornett has returned this season as Texas Wesleyan’s head coach after serving the last ten seasons as an assistant coach.  Cornett served as head coach from 1985-99 during which time the Rams won 63 tournaments including three National Championships.  Cornett was named NAIA National Coach of the Year in all three National Title seasons and is also a member of the Texas Wesleyan Athletic Hall of Fame.

The tournament, which featured 35 teams and 139 individuals raised approximately $20,000, raising the O.D. Bounds Endowment to approximately $200,000.

The Blue division was won by the foursome of Reed Petrie, Kyle Finkler, Stuart Martin, and Billy Privette with a score of 119.  The Gold division was won by the foursome of Mashall Barton, Benny Hamilton, Jack Kell, and Johnny Pilcher after a scorecard playoff with a score of 136.

The Rams, who fell in a playoff in their seasons opener at Diamondback Golf Course, will return to action at next week’s Rattler Invitational, September 28-29, in San Antonio, TX.