Feb. 24, 2005
ORLANDO - As a result of his win in the UCF/Rio Pinar Intercollegiate last week, UCF senior Andreas Hoegberg was named the Men's College Player of the Week by Golf World magazine, which is on news stands with a Feb. 24 cover date.
"I'm flattered," Hoegberg said. "It's encouraging to know the time I spent practicing has developed good results. It keeps me motivated and let's me know I'm on the right track."
Hoegberg, who leads the team with five top 10 finishes and a 72.33 stroke average, is ranked 31st in the nation in the latest Golfweek/Sagarin Collegiate Rankings. He is the first UCF golfer to earn Golf World's player of the week honor since Barry Roof did so in November of 2003 after he won the Fall Beach Classic in Gulf Shores, Ala.
"I think it is well deserved," UCF coach Nick Clinard said. "He's a hard worker and he's had a great senior year. I'm very proud of him."
Hoegberg entered the final round at Rio Pinar Country Club four shots out of the lead and quickly made up that ground with a 5-under-par 31 on the front side. He made a 12-foot par putt on the 18th hole to card a 4-under-par 68 and force a playoff with Tulane's Chris Wheeler and Mississippi State's Joe Deraney.
In the playoff, Hoegberg's tap-in birdie on the par 5 10th hole sealed his first collegiate win. With a lineup of Hoegberg and four freshmen, UCF also won the team title.
"When I won as an individual it was more of a bonus," Hoegberg said. "I was most excited last week to get a team win. Before I knew about the playoff I was excited that the freshmen played well and we got a team win."
"It's great for us anytime we can get recognition in the national media," Clinard added. "We're happy for him, we're happy for the team and the direction we are headed."