Oct. 25, 2005

EL PASO - Lamar men's golfer Dawie Van Der Walt was invited to join the nation's elite golfers to compete in the 31st Western Refining College All-America Golf Classic Nov. 20-22 at El Paso Country Club.

A sophomore from Cape Town, South Africa, Van Der Walt leads the team with a 70.89 scoring average. He has posted two Top 10 finishes in three tournaments, including a second place showing at the Mid-Pines Intercollegiate hosted by UNC-Greensboro.

The 2005 field was extended to a record-high 32 golfers due to the 45 eligible All-Americans from last year. Van Der Walt, who is currently ranked 73rd in the Golfstat collegiate rankings, was a Ping All-America honorable mention selection after a stellar freshman season.

Van Der Walt is the third Lamar golfer to be invited to the tournament, joining Chris Stroud (2003) and Philip Jonas (1985). Jonas tied for medalist honors but lost to Sam Randolph of USC on the second playoff hole.

Six players will be returning from last year's field, including Matthew Rosenfeld of Texas, who lost last year's classic in a playoff to Georgia Tech's Nicholas Thompson. Some of the other past champions include Ricky Barnes (2000), Notah Begay (1994), David Duval (1991), Matt Kuchar (1999), Davis Love III (1984), Jerry Pate (1974) and Tiger Woods (1995).

"We really have a strong field this year," said Mark Pelletier, tournament chairman. "Top to bottom, we have 32 of the nation's best players."

The tournament, hosted by the Sun Bowl Association, is played on the par-71, 6,781-yard El Paso Country Club.