May 7, 2012
STANFORD, Calif. -- - Stanford's Patrick Rodgers has been named the Pac-12 Conference's Freshman of the Year while current Pac-12 champion Andrew Yun joins Rodgers as a first team all-conference selection.
A finalist for the Hogan Award, Rodgers has eight top-10 finishes this season, including wins at the Fighting Illini Invitational and the Western Intercollegiate. He has been Stanford's top finisher in eight of the teams 10 events this season and is currently ranked No. 3 in the latest individual Golfweek/Sagarin rankings. He was also recently named to the United States team that will compete in the 2012 Palmer Cup at the Royal County Down Golf Club in Newcastle, Northern Ireland.
Rodgers is the first Stanford player to earn freshman of the year honors since Sihwan Kim in 2008. Rob Grube was also honored with the award in 2005.
Yun has enjoyed six top-10 finishes this season, highlighted by a first place finish at the 2012 Pac-12 Championships. His stroke average of 71.5 is best on the team, slightly ahead of Rodgers. Yun also earned first team all-conference honors last year as a sophomore.
Eugene Wong of Oregon was named the Pac-12 Men's Golfer of the Year while Cal's Steve Desimone was tabbed as the conference's coach of the year after leading the Bears to their first-ever Pac-12 championship this season.
Stanford Golf Course will play host to the NCAA West Regionals, May 17-19. The field will be announced early this evening.