EL PASO, Texas ? University of Kentucky golfer John Holmes will compete in the 29th Annual Western Refining College All-America Golf Classic for the second consecutive season, Nov. 23-25 at the El Paso Country Club. Holmes, who was named Kentucky Golf Association Player of the Year for the second year in a row on Friday, finished tied for eighth at the event last year shooting a three-round score of 218, 5-over par.

The Campbellsville, Ky., native joins 28 other All-Americans in the three-day event that featured a driving contest and putting competition Sunday afternoon. Arizona senior Chris Nallen took top honors in the Titleist Longest Drive Contest and the Ping Putting Contest.

Holmes is one of nine golfers making a return trip to the classic from last year. The junior received third team All-America honors as a freshman and honorable mention recognition as a sophomore.

The collegiate golf standout has led the Wildcats to four top-10 finishes in the fall season including a first place overall team finish at the Cleveland Golf/Kiawah Island Intercollegiate in September.

The 2003 field was extended to a record-high 29 golfers due to the 45 eligible All-Americans. The largest previous field was in 1983 and again in 1997, when 27 golfers were invited to the tournament.

?I really feel like we have one of the strongest fields that we have had in some time,? said Bob Kimble, tournament chairman. ?It was a really difficult selection process, because we had 45 eligible All-Americans to choose from this year.?

The tournament, which is hosted by the Sun Bowl Association, has featured past winners such as Davis Love III (1984), David Duval (1991) and Tiger Woods (1996). The field will play 36 holes on Monday, followed by the final 18 Tuesday morning.

Each university is awarded a $1,000 scholarship if a golfer from that school competes in the tournament.