COLUMBUS, Ga. - After winning the 2004 NCAA Division II men's golf national championship this past May, many wondered what USC Aiken could provide as an encore. Through three tournaments in 2004-05, the top-ranked Pacers are a perfect three-for-three following a four-stroke victory over Florida Gulf Coast at the AFLAC/Cougar Invitational hosted by Columbus State University. Juniors Dane Burkhart and Scott Brown placed third and fourth respectively in the individual standings. 

USC Aiken has won its last five tournaments dating back to the NCAA Region and National Championship Tournaments, one away from tying the school and conference record of six set during the 1994-95 season. 

Ten teams in the 18-squad field are ranked in the top 25 including the Pacers at one, Armstrong Atlantic State at five, Barry University at seven, Francis Marion at nine, and Barton at number 10. 

The 54-hole event was contested at the 6,936 yard, par 72 Bull Creek Golf Course in Columbus, Ga. 

Burkhart ranked second in the 90-player field with a 2.83 scoring average on par three. His 13 birdies were third best and the junior from Aiken, S.C. was eighth in par four (4.03) and par five (4.67) scoring. A PING All-American, Burkhart fired a final round of three-under-par 69, one off his career low, to finish third at four-under-par for the tournament. 

Brown was second only to Florida Gulf Coast's Joseph Lamielle in par five scoring at six-under-par, or 4.50. Brown carded an even-par 72 on Tuesday to place fourth, one shot back of Burkhart at three-under-par for the 54 holes. 

Lamielle won individual medalist honors with a 69 on Tuesday and a two-day total of eight-under-par 208. 

Freshman Chris McAlister posted his first top 10 finish tying for ninth at two-over par following a final round 73. Newcomer Casey Thompson tied for 12th at three-over-par after his one-under-par 71 effort on Tuesday. James Browning rebounded from a slow start on Monday for a two-over-par 74, jumping nine spots into a tie for 77th. 

Today's 285 equaled Florida Gulf Coast's three-under-par total for best of the day. Following USC Aiken (-2) and FGCU (+2), Valdosta State (+10) was third, Georgia College & State (+16) was fourth, and Armstrong Atlantic State (+18) rounded out the top five. The host Cougars of Columbus State were tied for ninth with UNC Pembroke at 34-over-par. 

USC Aiken will try to conclude a perfect fall season on October 11-12 when they compete in the Presbyterian College Invitational.

AFLAC/COUGAR INVITATIONAL
BULL CREEK G.C. COLUMBUS, GA
PAR: 72 YARDAGE: 6,936 DATES: OCTOBER 4-5

TEAM RESULTS 
1 USC Aiken..........................292 285 285 862 -2
2 Florida Gulf Coast................294 287 285 866 +2
3 Valdosta State.....................296 283 295 874 +10
4 GC&SU.................................292 289 299 880 +16
5 Armstrong Atl. State............292 296 294 882 +18
6 Delta State...........................289 299 300 888 +24
Barry......................................295 297 296 888 +24
8 Pfeiffer................................304 294 299 897 +33
9 UNC Pembroke....................299 293 306 898 +34
Columbus State......................304 300 294 898 +34
11 Carson-Newman...............297 295 308 900 +36
12 Barton...............................299 303 301 903 +39
13 West Georgia....................301 300 303 904 +40
Kennesaw State....................308 303 293 904 +40
15 Presbyterian......................301 301 303 905 +41
16 Francis Marion..................306 306 298 910 +46
17 Clayton State.....................306 305 308 919 +55
18 North Greenville................306 303 312 921 +57

USCA INDIVIDUAL RESULTS (-2) (1st)
Dane Burkhart.......................73 70 69 212 -4 (3rd)
Scott Brown..........................72 69 72 213 -3 (4th)
Chris McAlister......................73 72 73 218 +2 (T-9th)
Casey Thompson..................74 74 71 219 +3 (T-12th)
James Browning...................79 81 74 234 +18 (T-77th)

INDIVIDUAL WINNER
Joseph Lamielle, FGCU...........71 68 69 208 -8 (1st)