Georgia Golfers Balancing Nationwide Tour Tee Times with Final Exams

University of Georgia golfers Russell Henley and Harris English dind themselves in an enviable position this week. Based on their season long performance, and the Southeastern Conference Championship victory by Henley two weeks ago at Sea Island (GA), the two earned sponsor exemptions into this week's Stadion Athens Classic at UGA on the Nationwide Tour. There was only one glitch. The event is coinciding with finals week at UGA, forcing the two golfers to balance their practice and playing schedules with their exam schedules. In fact, the biggest risk is when their opening round tee times would be set.

Teammates and Rivals: University of Georgia golfers Harris English (left) and Russell Henley before the start of their second round at the Nationwide Tour's 2010 Stadion Athens Classic at UGA on Friday, April 30, 2010. Eye on Sports Media/2010.

"They received no special considerations for their Thursday tee times," said Joe Chemycz of the PGA Tour. "It is all generated by computer and takes into account factors such as status, earnings, etc. Players on a sponsors exemption are usually the last tee times assigned, no matter who they are. If Tiger Woods came here on a sponsor's exemption, he would be among the last tee times assigned and it would not be a prime spot."

This posed a dilemma for the two players. English had an exam scheduled for Thursday morning, and Henley had an in-class presentation scheduled.

Redshirt with a Blue Bib For the Assist: University of Georgia golfer Harris English walks up the 9th fairway with his roommate and redshirt teammate Hudson Swofford during the second round of the Nationwide Tour's Stadion Athens Classic at UGA on Friday, April 30, 2010. Eye on Sports Media/2010.

Luckily for the two, the draw turned out in their favor, as they drew late tee times in the afternoon. In the case of English, the final exam may have been the best preparation. He went out and shot a 3 under par 68 to tie for 10th place after the first round. Newly crowned SEC Golfer of the Year Henley was not as fortunate as he shot a 2 over par 73 and is danger of missing the cut.

No English Here: University of Georgia junior Harris English left this short birdie putt high as he attempted to get back to -3 at the Nationwide Tour's Stadion Athens Classic at UGA during second round action on Friday, April 30, 2010. Eye on Sports Media/2010.

No matter how they finish, however, they have the support of their teammates, families, and coach, and fans. As Henley was working on the putting green today, SEC Golf Coach of the Year Chris Haack, stood behind him, softly talking and reinforcing what Henley experienced as a player in the first round. It was one of those usually unseen and unheard moments of a coach/player relationship that show the strength of the Georgia golf program.

Advice from a Haacker: University of Georgia Coach/SEC Coach of the Year Chris Haack offers quiet advice to UGA Golfer/SEC Golfer of the Year Russell Henley on the putting green before the second round of the Nationwide Tour's Stadion Athens Classic at UGA on Friday, April 30, 2010. Eye on Sports Media/2010.