All-American Nick Watney (Dixon, Calif.) has been chosen by the Friends of Golf (FOG) and Colonial Country Club, in association with the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA). He is one of 10 finalists for the 2002 Ben Hogan Award.
The most outstanding male golfer over the course of the last 12 months will receive the Ben Hogan Award at a Black-tie dinner Monday, May 13 at the Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas. The recipient will be named Friday, May 3.
"I think that Colonial joining FOG and the golf coaches association in the Ben Hogan Award has been very positive," said FOG executive director, Eddie Merrins. "The award is now truly the Heisman of college golf."
Watney, a junior, has two wins this season (and four career wins). He has four second place finishes including one at the Savane All-American Golf Classic where he faced 24 of the nation's top golfers. Watney's scoring average so far for this season is 70.73. He has 21 under par rounds out of 33 played. His low is 63.
Fog will present the honoree with a replica of the Waterford crystal trophy displayed permanently at the Bel-Air Country Club in Los Angeles, while the Colonial Country Club will present the honoree and his school with a replica of the permanent trophy displayed in the Hogan Room at Colonial.
Other nominees are:
Bill Haas Wake Forest
Ryan Hybl Georgia
Hunter Mahan Oklahoma State
Troy Matteson Georgia Tech
Graeme McDowell Alabama-Birmingham
Chez Reavie Arizona State
D.J. Trahan Clemson
Camilo Villegas Florida
Lee Williamson Purdue
RE: Kelly WallsFresno State