TCU's Guetz Among Byron Nelson Award Finalists

NORMAN, Okla. (May 24, 2002) - The Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA) has announced the finalists for the inaugural Byron Nelson Award presented by Cleveland Golf. The award will be presented to a senior men's college golfer who displays excellence on the golf course, in the classroom and in the community. Among the five finalists for the prestigious honor is TCU's Bret Guetz.

Guetz, currently the nation's 33rd-ranked individual, has been well-honored over the past year. He recently was handed the TCU Chancellor's Award, which recognizes the top Horned Frog student-athlete in the areas of scholarship, athletics, leadership and community service. It is not an annual award, but rather is issued only when warranted by a special student-athlete. On the golf course during the 2001-02 season, Guetz set a pair of tournament records, grabbed two individual championships, was named to the All-Conference USA team and was voted C-USA's April Golfer of the Month. He graduated from TCU in May with a degree in business management.

"I can't think of anyone more deserving of this honor," TCU head coach Bill Montigel said. "Bret is an outstanding individual and is one of the hardest working, most conscientious people I have ever been around. He is a great ambassador for TCU golf, TCU athletics and the university as a whole."

Joining Guetz on the list of finalists for the award are: Jason Allred (Pepperdine), Wil Collins (New Mexico), Ben Leestma (Air Force) and Steve Ratay (Notre Dame).

To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be named to the Cleveland Golf All-America Scholar Team by the GCAA, be a senior at a four-year degree-granting institution and graduate in the semester he receives the award. A nominee's proficiency in collegiate golf competitions, his success in the classroom and his character are all weighed equally by the selection committee.

The committee is comprised of the GCAA All-America Scholar Committee chair, a golf statistical analyst, a media representative, as well as representatives of Cleveland Golf, Four Seasons Resort and Club the Salesmanship Club of Dallas and Mr. Byron Nelson.

The winner of the 2002 Byron Nelson Award presented by Cleveland Golf will be announced during the first week in June, and presented at a date and location yet to be determined. Cleveland Golf, a longtime corporate partner with the GCAA, is in its first year of title sponsorship of the Cleveland Golf All-America Scholar teams and the Byron Nelson Award presented by Cleveland Golf.