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Blaum Claims Inaugural Pete Dye Classic

Radford, VA - 2005 ACC Individual Champion Ryan Blaum made par at the 495 yard-par-four 18th hole at the Pete Dye River Course of Virginia Tech to hold off Scotland's Joel Hendry to win the Tarheel Tour's Inaugural Pete Dye Classic.

Blaum, who finished 15th this year in the PGA Tour's Puerto Rico Open, managed to hit fairway after fairway and green after green on the most difficult course set-up for any single round this year on the Tarheel Tour. On a day where the remaining field of 49 players averaged 74.97 strokes, Blaum fired a bogey-free 2-under-par 70 which included nine consecutive pars to close out the tournament. Blaum and Hendry played fantastic golf on the brutally difficult back nine at the River Course. Each player parred the first eight holes on the back nine and went to the tee on the 495 yard par-4 18th tied at 8-under. Blaum hit his drive 298 yards down the middle of the narrow fairway, but Hendry pulled his drive just left where it bounded up into the thick rough. From there Hendry was unable to hit the green and could only manage a bogey-five. Blaum had 208 yards to the back pin but under clubbed purposely with a 6-iron to insure he wouldn't hit it past the flag. His shot came straight down the flag stick about 35 short of the hole. Two putts later the Duke University graduate had the victory secured as well as the first place check worth $16,000.

"When I saw the course set-up today I thought even par today may be good enough. It wouldn't have been, but I was able to make two birdies on the front and manage to par the rest to finish at 8 (under). I love playing this tour because this tour has great competition. There are great players like Joel Hendry, for instance, and we play on great courses like this one. It just gets my adrenaline going. I love it." said Blaum.

The former Duke All-American is now two-for-two on the Tarheel Tour after winning in his only start last year at the Salisbury Classic in October. Blaum's ability to successfully qualify for PGA and Nationwide Tour events has limited his time on the Tarheel Tour, but he plans to compete at the Southern Open, which happens to be the next event on the Tarheel Tour July 10-12.

For Hendry, his outstanding season continues with his second runner-up finish of the year and a check for $8,200. He also was co-runner-up at The Manor Classic in Farmville, VA. Frisco, TX resident Wes Stonestreet shot a final round 2-under-par 70 to finish at 4-under-par and in third place alone. Stonestreet's round of 70 matched the low round of the day with Blaum and William McGirt. Tarheel Tour leading money winner David Robinson and North Augusta native Kyle Bradley each finished at 3-under-par to share fourth place. Bradley followed up his course record tying 66 with an impressive 1-under-par 71 for his best finish of the season.

TARHEEL TOUR PETE DYE CLASSIC TOURNAMENT UPDATE

Radford, Va. June 25, 2008.

Joel Hendry, a native of Scotland currently residing in Bluffton, S.C., continued to maintain the lead through two rounds of the Pete Dye Classic Tarheel Tour. Hendry, who had a one shot lead following a first round 67, will take a two-stroke lead on the field in Thursday's final round.

Ryan Blaum shot a 70 Wednesday and stands two shots back at 6 under 138. Matthew Thomas matched the day's low round of 66 and is tied for third with Jason Kokrak (71) at 139.

Ryan Sypniewski, a former member of the Virginia Tech Golf Team, had five birdies and an eagle for a score of 70 for the day and leaves him tied for 24th in the 112 player field.

The final field of 49 players and will compete on Thursday for the championship.

TARHEEL TOUR PETE DYE CLASSIC TOURNAMENT UPDATE

Radford, Va., June 24, 2008.

After the first round of the Tarheel Tour Pete Dye Classic the leader - Joel Hendry of Bluffton, SC - shot a five under par 67 to take the lead after day one of the three day event. Other players close behind turning in scores of four under par included Ryan Blaum, Jason Kokrak and Shaun Norris. Ryan Sypniewski who lives in Fairlawn, Virginia and a former member of the 2007 Virginia Tech Golf Team turned in a score of three over for day one of the tournament.

Participants in this Top Developmental Tour come from all over the United States and as far away as South Africa.

The top 40 players and tied scores will progress to the third and final round on Thursday. The projected cut is +2. The players are competing for a purse of approximately $92,550.

PETE DYE VISITS "THE RIVER"

"It's the Greatest Place in the World" to quote Pete Dye concerning Tech's "River Course".

Pete Dye, one of the most influential course architects in the world, returned to the Pete Dye River Course of Virginia Tech on June 17, 2008 to tour the course. Dye Designs are world renowned for their environmentally sensitive, ecological, championship golf courses. "The River Course" winds along 2.5 miles of the scenic and historic New River and is the home course for the Championship Virginia Tech Golf Team.

Pete arrived early and spent most of the day cruising the course with John Norton, Head PGA Golf Professional, and Mark Cote, Head Superintendent. His visit included an update on the construction of the Clubhouse.

Course conditions have never been better. The passing by of an occasional train across the river is music to Pete Dye's ears. He has long been a railroad enthusiast as evidenced by his use of railroad ties in many of his course designs.

Pete shared stories with staff members and spoke of his wife, Alice, and their work to encourage and support youth activities in golf recounting a conversation she had with Tiger Woods and other PGA Tour winners. Alice Dye has been involved with golf most of her life and is known as a leader, a noted amateur player and an architect. The Dye family contributions that span a time frame of over seventy years are legendary in the world of golf.

Other note worthy courses designed by Dye include TPC at Sawgrass, Whistling Straits, Crooked Stick Golf Club, The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island, Harbour Town Golf Links and many more.

Dye has received many honors including the PGA Tour Lifetime Achievement Award. In November 2008 Pete will be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in the Lifetime Achievement category.

With the support of Bill and Alice Goodwin and the creative genius of Pete Dye, Virginia Tech and Southwest Virginia have one of the finest courses in the country. The course has received awards from Golf Digest including one of "American's Best New Courses", "American's Best Remodel" and one of "America's Best Places to Play" awards.

VT Players at Masters

Coach Jay Hardwick, Asst Coach Sharp and members of VT Golf Team follow Drew Weaver during practice round at Augusta National for the 72nd Masters Tournament.

2008 Member-Member Tournament Results

Radford, Va. The team of Todd Burchett and Buddy Shull paired to win the 2008 Member-Member Tournament at the Pete Dye River Course of Virginia Tech. Burchett had the day's low round with a net score or 66. The format was pick your partner and team net scores were used to determine the winners. Burchett took home a total of $225 in Gift Certificates for his efforts. Full results are posted below:

1. T. Burchett and B. Shull	$120	61
2. T. Burchett and R. Burchett	$50	62
3. R. Burchett and T. Burchett	$50	62
4. J. Fisher and T. Swecker	$50	62
5. T. Burchett and J. Abercrombie	$35	63
6. B. Swain and T. Burchett	$35	63
7. S. Tarcy and D. Deisel	$20	64
8. S. Tarcy and L. Price	$20	64
9. L. Price and T. Swecker	$20	64
10. E. Ervin and J. Fisher	$20	64
11. D. Deisel and G. McCroskey	$20	64
12. T. Burchett and J. Johnson	$20	64
13. T. Ullman and D. Deisel	$10	65
14. E. Ervin and T. Burchett	$10	65
15. E. Ervin and T. Swecker	$10	65
16. L. Price and E. Ervin	$10	65
17. D. Deisel and S. Obenchain	$10	65
18. T. Ullman & T. Swecker	$10	65
19. E. Ervin & T. Ullman	$10	65
20. Q.Boyle and W. Zellers	$10	65
21. J. Fisher and G. McCroskey	$10	65
22. D. Deisel and R. Burchett	$10	65
23. W. Zellers and Q. Boyle	$10	65
24. C. Leonard and T. Ullman	$10	65