Two University of Georgia Student-Athletes Earn Exemptions into Stadion Classic at UGA

ATHENS, Ga., April 20, 2011– By the closest of margins, the Stadion Classic at UGA announced that University of Georgia golfers Russell Henley and Harris English have earned two sponsor's exemptions to participate in the Nationwide Tour event from May 2-8 at the UGA Golf Course. Hudson Swafford, who finished in a close third place, will attempt to qualify on Monday of tournament week.

After 24 rounds of golf over the course of the season, only four shots separated Henley, who finished in first place, from Swafford who placed third. Henley finished with a total score of 1,748 strokes (72.83 stroke average), while English tallied 1,750 (72.91) and Swafford finished at 1,752 (73.00).  All three are ranked among the top 50 collegians in the country according to Golfweek.

"We are really fortunate to have three players the caliber of Russell, Harris and Hudson on this team, and it is a shame that only two could get the exemption" said Chris Haack, the head coach of the men's golf team at UGA. "Having the opportunity to showcase our players at the Stadion Classic is really special for our players and our program.  Our alumni have had great success on both the Nationwide and PGA tours, and I expect we will see much of the same from these three guys."

One of the unique aspects of the Stadion Classic at UGA is that two sponsor's exemptions are reserved for current student-athletes on the University of Georgia golf team. The exemptions are awarded to the two players with the lowest season stroke average through the SEC Tournament.

Last year, both Henley and English picked up the exemptions for the tournament and made the cut with Henley finishing 34th and English placing 27th. Swafford served as English's caddy for the 2010 Stadion Classic at UGA, before later qualifying for the U.S. Open and briefly leading the major on its opening day.

Henley, Golfweek's National Player of the Year in 2010, is a three-time Ping All-American at UGA. He has won seven collegiate tournaments during his Bulldog career and placed 16th in the 2010 U.S. Open.

English, another three-time Ping All-American, was a finalist for the 2010 Ben Hogan Award and won four events during his collegiate career. He is a Cleveland Golf All-American Scholar and is the only player to receive that honor along with Golfweek First Team All-American status.

Swafford is a two-time Ping All-American and a two-time All-SEC pick.  He will participate in the Monday qualifier for the event on May 2.

The Athens stop on the Nationwide Tour is entering its sixth year, and its second with the University of Georgia as host.  It is one of two Nationwide Tour stops in Georgia, the other being the South Georgia Classic in Valdosta. For more information on the Stadion Classic at UGA, visit www.stadionclassic.uga.edu.