The University of South Carolina Aiken 2013-14 men's golf team earned a top-10 billing for the entire season and put forth an outstanding campaign, which wrapped up with a berth to the NCAA Championship.

Head coach Michael Carlisle's team boasted six seniors, with three competing for much of the season. Both juniors saw the links in virtually every competition while his only sophomore qualified for three events.

The Pacers were strong throughout the season, earning a No. 2 national ranking for much of the year. The squad picked up four victories during the course of the grueling schedule, including a pair of wins at Division I tournaments (Firestone Invitational and Wexford Plantation Intercollegiate). The team also registered victories at the Bobcat Invitational as it went up against a slew of PBC and top-25 squads. USC Aiken's final win of the season came at the weather-shortened Peach Belt Conference Championship, as Carlisle's group bested Georgia College by two strokes for the program's second straight team championship and the 10^th in school history.

Collectively, the team finished 12^th at the ever-tough course in Allendale, Mich., The Meadows, at the NCAA Division II National Championships. Despite not qualifying for the match play, the team's outstanding effort during the season will be discussed for years.

In addition to the four victories, the Pacers garnered six top-10 finishes, including four in the top five. Two of those finishes were runner-up efforts.

Carlisle's team started the 2013-14 campaign with a second-place effort at the Kiawah Island Invitational behind Brandon Robinson-Thompson's silver medal. For his effort, Robinson-Thompson picked up PBC Golfer of the Week accolades.

The Pacers trailed Washington State by nine strokes at the Firestone Invitational in Akron, Ohio, but reeled off a six-under par score, 282, to best the Cougars by a mere two strokes for the title. Senior Hayden Letien paced USC Aiken with his superb third-place effort. After capturing the bronze, Letien garnered PBC Golf of the Week honors.

After a 13^th-place effort at the AutoTrader.com Collegiate Classic, the Pacers raced toward the front of the pack at the Rock Barn Collegiate Invitational, snagging runner-up honors at the last tournament during the first semester. Robinson-Thompson guided USC Aiken, taking second place, just one stroke behind first. Fellow junior Andrew Ward added a fifth-place effort at the event.

During the team's first tournament in Feb., Carlisle's line-up produced a sixth-place finish at The Matlock Invitational. Robinson-Thompson tallied a ninth-place finish at the course.

Senior Kyle Godsman took home the bronze medal at the Wexford Plantation Intercollegiate, helping USC Aiken to a one-shot victory against the Division I field. Godsman was followed by Robinson-Thompson, who secured another top-10 finish.

Facing off against a Division I field at the Cleveland Golf Palmetto Intercollegiate, the Pacers played well enough on their home course for a sixth-place finish. Godsman and Robinson-Thompson tied for the team lead, but Robinson-Thompson shot a tournament and PBC-best low round of 65.

 In the two-day tournament at the Bobcat Invitational, Carlisle's team was up for the challenge. The squad shot a final round 287 after firing a 304 over the first 18 holes. Robinson-Thompson placed third at the event.

Robinson-Thompson led USC Aiken at the Hootie at Bulls Bay event, shooting a 210 for a third-place finish. His score was good enough for six under par.

The team placed 14^th at the Insperity Invitational, marking the last regular-season event of the year.

Heading into the PBC Championship, Carlisle's team, just like the rest of the PBC, was ready to play. However, inclement weather forced the cancellation of the first day and resulting in just one round of 18 holes for the championship.

The Pacers took home the title while Robinson-Thompson won the individual crown. He and Letien, who finished third, were each named to the all-tournament team.  

After leading the South/Southeast Regional upon the completion of 18 holes, USC Aiken cruised to a berth at the NCAA National Championship by taking home third place.

The Pacers started the NCAA National Championship by finishing 13^th after the first day of competition, but dropped back to 15^th on the second day. Despite a strong final round, the team could only climb to 12^th place.

Although the team had great success collectively during the season, the student-athletes managed to shine individually as well.

In addition to the three earning Golfer of the Week honors, all three were selected to the PBC all-conference squad. Robinson-Thompson earned first-team honors while Godsman and Letien earned second-team accolades.

PING's all-region team consisted of Godsman and Robinson-Thompson. By having a stellar campaign that saw him finish in the top 10 on nine occasions, Robinson-Thompson was tabbed a first-team All-American by PING.

Off the links, Ward's impressive academic status was noticed as he was named the NCAA Elite 15 winner at the National Championship.

Although the Pacers lose some talented student-athletes in Brian Amick, Stephane Boudreau, Godsman, Letien, Drew McElveen and Gaines Milliner to graduation, Carlisle returns a solid core for the 2014-15 campaign and will once again be in the hunt for not only a Peach Belt Conference title, but also another NCAA National Championship.