SANO-SHI, Japan — LSU senior men’s golfer Alan Morgan will be one of 12 golfers representing the United States at the US-Japan Collegiate Championship July 3-5 at the Verde Sano Country Club.
The tournament will be held in Sano-shi, Tochigi, Japan, and is hosted by the Golf Coaches Association of America. The GCAA selected eight men and four women in June to make up the roster for the U.S. Morgan, a Lake Charles native, last competed at the 2001 Louisiana Golf Association’s State Amateur Tournament in Monroe June 10.
Morgan won the 93rd annual event in record fashion, by finishing a state-record 21-under par. The previous record was 10-under par by two golfers. Morgan finished 13 strokes ahead of LSU teammate and fellow lake Charles native Billy Dressler.
Morgan also won two tournaments during the 2000-01 season. Morgan shot a 7-under par 209 at the Tennessee Tournament of Champions in September to earn his first collegiate win. He posted a 10-under 206 at the CCLA Intercollegiate in October to lead the Tigers to the team title.
LSU also won the Inaugural LSU Spring Invitational, in which Morgan finished tied for second. Morgan led LSU with seven top-10 finishes, a stroke average of 71.5, and 26 rounds of par or better.
Morgan was named to the All-Southeastern Conference First Team in 2001, as well as being named Golfer of the Year on the 2001 LSWA All-Louisiana Golf Team. Morgan was also named to the GCAA Division 1 Ping All-American Team as an Honorable Mention selection.
Morgan became LSU’s first All-American since P.J. Smith in 1997. He was also the school’s first back-to-back All-SEC golfer since Smith in 1997 and 1998, and he was a second-team selection on the 2000 All-SEC Team, in his first season at LSU.
“I am happy for Alan, it is a great opportunity for him”, said LSU head coach Greg Jones. “Alan was one of the finest golfers ever to play here, and he will represent the school well in Japan.”
“I am real excited about it, I am really more excited about the trip, because I have never been overseas before”, Morgan said. “I want to represent LSU and my country well, because I love it here, and I will be an LSU alum forever.”
Morgan plans to finish school and turn pro following that. The tournament in Japan concludes on July 5. The men will be coached in Japan by Arizona Director of Golf Rick LaRose. Arizona finished third at the 2001 NCAA Championships.