AIKEN, S.C. – University of South Carolina Aiken senior Matt Atkins claimed individual medalist honors and Augusta State obtained the team title at the 16th Annual Cleveland Golf Palmetto Intercollegiate at the 6,617-yard, par-70 Palmetto Golf Club.
Atkins finished with a three-round 4-under score of 206 (68-68-70) in acquiring individual medalist honors. The 206 allowed him to finish two strokes ahead of Virginia's Mac McLaughlin (71-64-73=208). Augusta State's Maverick Antcliff (70-73-66) and South Carolina's Matthew NeSmith (68-69-72) tied for third at 209.
The individual victory is the second of Atkins' prolific Pacer career. The 2012 First-Team All-American also claimed top honors at the 2012 NCAA Division II South/Southeast Regional at the par-72, 7,064-yard Jones Course at the Rock Barn Golf and Spa. Atkins (Owensboro, Ky./Henderson State) concluded the three rounds of the South/Southeast Regional with a 6-under score of 210.
Atkins is the fourth Pacer to claim individual medalist honors at the Cleveland Golf Palmetto Intercollegiate.
Brock Ehler picked up the first individual win for the Pacers in 1999. Aaron Black obtained the victory in the 2003 Cleveland Golf Palmetto Intercollegiate, while Roberto Diaz collected top individual honors at the 2007 Cleveland Golf Palmetto Intercollegiate.
The 2013 Cleveland Golf Palmetto Intercollegiate team victory is Augusta State's second at the tournament. Augusta State last claimed top team honors at the 2000 Cleveland Golf Palmetto Intercollegiate.
Augusta State concluded the 16th Annual Cleveland Golf Palmetto Intercollegiate with a total team score of 856 (284-290-282). The score of 856 allowed Augusta State to finish seven strokes ahead of second-place team South Carolina (287-283-293=863). North Carolina State (284-287-293) and Clemson (285-292-287) tied for third at 864.
The only NCAA Division II team in the field, USC Aiken finished eighth as a team at the 16th Annual Cleveland Golf Palmetto Intercollegiate. The Pacers carded a three-round team tally of 880 (288-292-300).
Nationally third-ranked USC Aiken will next head to Eatonton, Ga. to compete in the Bobcat Invitational. The tournament hosted by Georgia College will be held on Monday, March 18 and Tuesday, March 19 at the par-70 Cuscowilla Golf Resort on Lake Oconee.
8 USC Aiken 288 292 300 880
1 Matt Atkins 68 68 70 206
T 19 Mark Dickson 71 73 75 219
T 36 JP Solis 74 73 77 224
T 70 Taylor Welborn 75 79 78 232
T 78 Hayden Letien 79 78 78 235
Fin. School Scores
1 Augusta State U. 284 290 282 856 +16
2 South Carolina 287 283 293 863 +23
3 North Carolina State 284 287 293 864 +24
Clemson University 285 292 287 864 +24
5 Liberty University 288 289 291 868 +28
6 Virginia, U. of 291 283 299 873 +33
7 Georgia State Univ. 294 290 294 878 +38
8 USC Aiken 288 292 300 880 +40
9 Elon University 295 296 301 892 +52
10 Nebraska 305 294 296 895 +55
11 Pennsylvania, U. of 297 294 306 897 +57
12 Furman University 295 299 306 900 +60
Akron, U. of 298 295 307 900 +60
14 Western Carolina U. 296 298 310 904 +64
15 Maryland, U. of 303 296 309 908 +68
16 Presbyterian College 296 304 313 913 +73
17 Wofford College 300 312 303 915 +75
18 Francis Marion U. 303 307 308 918 +78
