FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 1-22-02

AASU Golf Ranked No. 16 In GCAA Division II Top 25 Poll
Pirates Achieve First-Ever National Ranking In Men's Golf

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Less than two years after Armstrong Atlantic State men's golf was reinstated as a varsity sport, the squad earned its first-ever national ranking, checking in at No. 16 in the Golf Coaches' Association of America (GCAA) 2002 Preseason Top 25 poll released today.

The Pirates, featuring a squad comprised of all freshman and sophomores, competed in four fall tournaments, capturing one title - the Flagler Intercollegiate in November. As a team, AASU is averaging 302.56 strokes per round and are led by sophomore Thomas Whittaker (75.57 stroke average), the 2001 Peach Belt Conference individual medalist, freshman Ashley Loyd (75.80 SA) and sophomore Clay Best (75.86 SA).

AASU is one of six Peach Belt Conference schools ranked in the poll, led by No. 4 USC Aiken. Francis Marion is ranked No. 11, followed by Kennesaw State at No. 12, GC&SU at No. 14 and Columbus State at No. 17, just behind the Pirates.

The spring schedule for the Pirates includes the AASU Pirate Invitational at Southbridge Golf Club on February 25-26 and the Wolverine South Intercollegiate at Hunter Golf Club on March 2-3. AASU will compete in the Peach Belt Conference championships at the Bridge Mill Athletic Club in Canton, Ga., on April 19-20.

- Pirates -