The top-ranked Pacers held off a determined Armstrong Atlantic State team to win by five shots after posting a final round nine-over-par 293. Junior Dane Burkhart won the individual national title by one stroke at five-under-par, the Pacers first-ever NCAA medalist.

The Pacers are just the eighth school, and the first team since Florida Southern (1999–2000), to repeat as Division II men’s golf champions, and with no seniors on this year’s “starting five,” USC Aiken will be a favorite for another win in 2006. The 72-hole event was contested at the 7,026-yard, par 71 Club at Savannah Harbor.

In a record-setting year, USC Aiken won 11 of 13 tournaments, including two Division I events, the 2005 Peach Belt Conference Championship (the program’s sixth), the NCAA Southeast Regional (their fourth-straight), and the 43rd NCAA Division II Championship.

The Pacers will carry a five-tournament winning streak into next season. Head coach Michael Carlisle is in his 15th season at USC Aiken.

6/05