Feb. 9, 2017
AUBURN, Ala. - Auburn Men's Golf senior Will Long has been named to the Ben Hogan Award watch list and ranks 18th in the first spring Arnold Palmer Cup Rankings.
Long, a native of Gastonia, N.C., leads the Tigers at 70.13 strokes per round. He finished in the top nine of each event in the fall including three top-five finishes while leading Auburn to two victories and a runner-up finish. He finished third at the Inverness Intercollegiate at 3-under 73-68-69--210, t-4th at the Golf Club of Georgia Collegiate at 6-under 68-74-68--210, t-5th at the Jerry Pate National at 2-under 70-70-68--208 and t-9th at the Carpet Capital Collegiate at 7-under 68-72-69--209.
Long is one of 28 members of the Ben Hogan Award watch list, which includes a record 11 selections from the SEC.
"It is a quite an honor for Will to be nominated as one of 28 for this prestigious award," head coach Nick Clinard said. "He's a fantastic young man that has elevated his game since arriving at Auburn University. He has worked diligently to improve his game and is shows in his scores. I believe he has what it take physically and mentally to lead this team and be a good pro at the next level. I'm really proud to coach him and look forward to following all of his success."
The most prestigious award in men's college golf, the Ben Hogan Award is presented annually to the top men's NCAA Division I, II or III, NAIA or NJCAA college golfer taking into account all collegiate and amateur competitions during the past 12-month period. The Ben Hogan Award Selection Committee, which votes during each stage of the process, is comprised of leaders in professional, amateur and collegiate golf.
The list of 10 semifinalists, which could include individuals not on the watch list, will be unveiled on Wednesday, April 12. On Wednesday, May 3, that group will be pared down to three finalists. The finalists will attend a black-tie banquet at Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas, on Monday, May 22, prior to the start of the PGA TOUR's Dean & DeLuca Invitational, where the winner will be crowned.
Long has also been named to the first of three spring Arnold Palmer Cup Rankings. He previously ranked No. 4 in the fall rankings prior to the beginning of the spring season. It is the second consecutive season that he has been a member of the rankings, as he ranked No. 7 in the fall rankings as a junior.
The top six golfers from the final ranking in the spring from both the United States and Europe will be among the 10 individuals selected to compete in the Arnold Palmer Cup at Atlanta Athletic Club June 9-11.
Former All-Americans Blayne Barber and Michael Johnson, both coached by Clinard, are the only golfers in school history to play for the Palmer Cup. Barber competed twice in 2011 and 2012 while Johnson earned the honor last season.
The Tigers return to action Feb. 17-19 at the All-American Intercollegiate at the Golf Club of Houston in Houston, Texas.