AIKEN, S.C. - USC Aiken and the University of Houston could not settle their differences on the course despite 54 holes of regulation play and two sudden death playoff holes, so the Pacers and Cougars will share the Eighth Annual Palmetto Intercollegiate title, part of the Cleveland Golf Collegiate Championship Series. Both teams were 21-over-par after Tuesday's final round, but the event was called after two playoff holes as Houston had to catch its flight back home. 

The 54-hole event was contested at the 6,380 yard, par 71 Palmetto Golf Club in Aiken, S.C. Founded in 1892, Palmetto is recognized as the fourth oldest golf course in the United States and holds the oldest membership certificate to the USGA still in existence. 

It is USC Aiken's second Palmetto Intercollegiate title, but their first since 1999. Houston claims a share of its first event title in their first appearance. The Pacers, ranked number one in both the GCAA/Bridgestone Top 25 Coaches poll and the Golfstat.com poll, post their sixth win in seven events this season and eighth in their last nine dating back to last year's NCAA Southeast Regional and NCAA Championship Tournament. 

Houston began entered the day at 17-over-par trailing South Florida, the day one leaders, by six shots and five back of second-place USC Aiken. But the Cougars carded the day's best round at four-over-par 288 and the Pacers were nine-over-par with a 293 to produce the tie atop the leaderboard. South Florida shot a 300 to drop into third place at 27-over-par while Texas-Arlington (+30) and Charleston Southern (+34) rounded out the top five. 

With Houston already in the clubhouse, freshman Casey Thompson drained a 15-foot birdie putt on 18 to force the playoff. The North Augusta, S.C. native carded a one-over-par 72 to record his first career top 10 finish, tying for eighth at six-over-par. 

Clint Smith and Dane Burkhart each pared 18 as the teams moved to the 16th hole for the playoff. After both teams registered four pars each, they did it all over again. With similar results, both teams were one-over-par.

Smith just missed taking home medalist honors, placing second, one shot back of tournament winner Jordan Irwin of Houston. Smith carded a final round of one-under-par 70 to finish at even par for the 54 holes. Irwin also shot a 70 on Tuesday, but concluded play at one-under-par 212. 

Burkhart posted a final round three-over-par 74 to tie for fifth with a 217, his sixth top 10 finish of the season. Scott Brown tied for 25th following a final round 77 at 13-over-par while Tyler Rolley also carded a 77 to tie for 39th at 15-over-par. 

Competing as individuals, James Browning shot an 84 to tie for 45th while Steven Holtgrieve recorded an 87 to place 63rd. 

USC Aiken will now participate in the prestigious Hall of Fame Invitational hosted by the University of Texas this weekend. The Pacers earned the invitation by winning last year's NCAA Division II National Championship. The field features eight of the top 25 teams in Division I including top-ranked Oklahoma State, fourth-ranked New Mexico, #6 Wake Forest, and #9 TCU. 

EIGHTH ANNUAL PALMETTO INTERCOLLEGIATE
PALMETTO G.C. AIKEN, S.C.
PAR: 71 YARDAGE: 6,380 DATES: MARCH 14-15

TEAM RESULTS 
1 USC Aiken..........................292 288 293 873 +21
Houston...................................294 291 288 873 +21
3 South Florida........................287 292 300 879 +27
4 Texas-Arlington...................300 294 288 882 +30
5 Charleston Southern............293 288 305 886 +34
6 Lamar...................................299 292 300 891 +39
7 East Carolina........................293 292 308 893 +41
8 Virginia Commonwealth.......306 291 303 900 +48
Georgia Coll. & State...............298 303 299 900 +48
10 Columbus State..................299 297 310 906 +54
11 Presbyterian......................300 296 314 910 +58
12 Maryland............................306 314 303 923 +71

USCA INDIVIDUAL RESULTS (+21) (T-1st)
Clint Smith........................71 72 70 213 E (2nd)
Dane Burkhart.................72 71 74 217 +4 (T-5th)
Casey Thompson............72 75 72 219 +6 (T-8th)
Scott Brown....................77 72 77 226 +13 (T-25th)
Tyler Rolley.....................78 73 77 228 +15 (T-39th)
*James Browning...........74 71 84 229 +16 (T-45th)
*Steven Holtgrieve..........87 80 87 254 +41 (63rd) 
*competing as individuals

INDIVIDUAL WINNER
Jordan Irwin, Houston..............73 69 70 212 -1 (1st)