Apr 8, 2008

Six PBC Golfers Named to Nicklaus Award Watch List

The Golf Coaches Association of America announced that six PBC golfers have been included on the watch list for the 2008 Jack Nicklaus Award.

USC Aiken led the way with three players to watch for as Roberto Diaz, Jeff Goff and J.P. Solis were all included.  Columbus State's Andrew Georgiou, Armstrong Atlantic State's Chris Wolfe and Clayton State's Will Wilcox were also among the 18 Division II golfers on the list.

The Nicklaus Award is presented to the Player of the Year in NCAA Divisions I, II and III, as well as the NAIA.

Jamie Lovemark of Southern California and Sonoma State’s Jarin Todd - the 2007 Nicklaus Award recipients in Divisions I and II, respectively - will look to claim honors for the second-straight season. The watch lists are also highlighted by returning PING First-Team All-America selections Matthew Galloway of West Florida, Columbus State’s Andrew Georgiou and CSU-Stanislaus’ Eric Justesen in Division II; Rizal Amin of LaVerne, Washington & Lee’s Nathaniel James and Taylor Urbanski of Oglethorpe of Division III; and the NAIA’s Bruno
Buccolo and Rhein Gibson of Oklahoma Christian and Sam Cyr of Point Loma Nazarene.

The Nicklaus Award recipients will be named immediately following the final round of each respective national championship. All four Nicklaus Award honorees will be invited to Muirfield Village for the final round of the Memorial Tournament presented by Morgan Stanley at
Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio, just outdside Nicklaus’ hometown of Columbus to receive their trophies from Mr. Nicklaus. Additionally, a 20-player All-Nicklaus Team - which will include outstanding players from NCAA Divisions I, II and III and the NAIA - will be named June 10.

2008 Jack Nicklaus Award Watch Lists
(in alphabetical order)

Division II
Roberto Diaz, USC-Aiken
Luis Delgado, Chico State
Judson Eustaquio, Florida Southern
Matthew Galloway, West Florida
Andrew Georgiou, Columbus State
Kyle Hopkins, Sonoma State
Justin Hueber, Indianapolis
Jeff Goff, USC-Aiken
Eric Justesen, CSU-Stanislaus
Jake Koppenberg, WWU
Tobias Rosendahl, West Florida
Kyle Scott, West Florida
Colby Shrum, Central Oklahoma
J.P. Solis, USC-Aiken
Jarin Todd, Sonoma State
Will Wilcox, Clayton State
Brent Witcher, Valdosta State
Chris Wolfe, Armstrong Atlantic State