Golf | February 24, 2004

SAVANNAH, GA--Sophomore Dane Burkhart came from two strokes back on the final day of the AASU/Southbridge Pirate Invitational to capture individual medalist honors and lead the USC Aiken golf team to a second place finish. The host Armstrong Atlantic State Pirates were the wire-to-wire team champions with a four-under-par 572. 

The 36-hole event was contested at the 7,028 yard, par 72 Southbridge Golf Course in Savannah, Ga. USCA is ranked 11th in the latest Precept/GCAA Top 25 coaches poll. 

It was the second consecutive individual title for Burkhart who won two weeks ago at the Outback Steakhouse Intercollegiate in Panama City, Fla. The former South Aiken High School standout followed up yesterday's one-under-par 71 with a tournament low four-under-par 68 on Tuesday to out distance AASU's Jonathan Cox and Kennesaw State's Kris Shepherd by four shots. 

Sophomore James McGhee and freshman Clint Smith also registered their third top 10 finish of the 2003-04 season. McGhee carded a two-under-par 70 to finish at one-over-par for the 36 holes and place fifth. Smith tied for sixth with a pair of one-over-par 73's. 

Freshman Ryan Burton placed tied for 41st with a 79 on Tuesday to finish at 12-over-par while senior Bryan Sangid tied for 45th in the 65-player field with a final round 77 to record a 13-over-par 157 for the two-day event. 

AASU (-4) won their second event of the season while USCA (+8) finished runner-up for the third time in seven tournaments. Tuesday's even-par 288 by the Pacers was the lowest of the final round. Barry University (+16) finished a distant third followed by Kennesaw State (+19), the other Peach Belt Conference representative. 

USC Aiken will next compete in the Seminole Intercollegiate hosted by Florida State University on March 1-2 at the Golden Eagle Country Club in Tallahassee, Fla. 

AASU/SOUTHBRIDGE PIRATE INVITATIONAL
SOUTHBRIDGE G.C. SAVANNAH, GA
PAR: 72 YARDAGE: 7,028 DATES: FEBRUARY 23-24

TEAM RESULTS 
1 Armstrong Atlantic State..........283 289 572 -4
2 USC Aiken..............................296 288 584 +8
3 Barry........................................293 299 592 +16
4 Kennesaw State......................297 298 595 +19
5 Coker........................................315 294 609 +33
6 Valdosta State.........................308 303 611 +35
7 Nova Southeastern..................304 308 612 +36
8 Queens (NC)............................304 310 614 +38
9 Reinhardt.................................302 313 615 +39
10 Saint Leo...............................320 306 626 +50
t11 Limestone.............................319 318 637 +61
t11 Florida Tech..........................332 305 637 +61

USCA INDIVIDUAL RESULTS (+8) (2nd)
Dane Burkhart.................71 68 139 -5 (1st)
James McGhee...............75 70 145 +1 (5th)
Clint Smith.......................73 73 146 +2 (T-6th)
Ryan Burton...................77 79 156 +12 (T-41st)
Bryan Sangid.................80 77 157 +13 (T-45th)

INDIVIDUAL WINNER
Dane Burkhart, USCA......71 68 139 -5 (1st)