Aggie golfers collect GCAA postseason honors
NORMAN, Okla. – Three members of the Cameron University men’s golf team have been recognized for their efforts in leading the Aggies to yet another NCAA regional appearance in 2005. Senior Ryan King, junior Travis Lovins, and sophomore Owen Mahaffey have each been named to the Golf Coaches Association of America PING All-South Central Region team. Lovins and Mahaffey also collected honorable mention GCAA/PING All-America honors.
“It’s always great to see your players receive well-deserved postseason recognition,” Cameron head coach Jerry Hrnciar said. “These three guys worked extremely hard this season and we were fortunate to be able to rely on them all year.”
Mahaffey, who also earned honorable mention honors as a freshman last season, became the eighth Cameron golfer to earn All-American recognition in multiple seasons. The Wichita Falls, Texas, product placed in the Top 10 individually at this year’s NCAA Division II South Central Regional Championships following a second-place showing at the Lone Star Conference Championships. Mahaffey finished seventh in the nation in par-5 scoring average this season and also ranked among the top players in Division II in sub-par strokes per round. As a freshman, Mahaffey won the individual crown at the 2004 LSC Championships.
Lovins emerged as the Aggies’ top player this season, ranking among the nation’s leaders in par-3 scoring, par-5 scoring and sub-par strokes per round. The Candadian, Texas, native was one of three Aggies to finish among the individual Top 10 at this year’s conference championships and collected a runner-up finish at the South Central Regional. Lovins picked up a pair of individual victories this season, as well, winning by two strokes at the Northwestern Oklahoma State Ranger Classic before posting an impressive six-stroke victory at the St. Edward’s Invitational.
Named the NCAA Division II Freshman of the Year in 2002, King is a two-time All-America selection. The Duncanville, Texas, native scored a Top 10 individual finish at this year’s Lone Star Conference Championships, helping the Aggies to a second-place showing. King also finished in the Top 25 individually at the regional tournament. He is also a former winner at the LSC Championships, taking home the individual crown in 2003.
Cameron finished the 2005 regular season tied for No. 15 in the GCAA/Bridgestone Division II Coaches Poll. The Aggies ranked among the top three teams in the nation in par-3 scoring, par-5 scoring and sub-par strokes per round, and finished 17th among all Division II schools with an overall head-to-head record of 155-18. In all, 32 Cameron players have been awarded All-American honors since 1978. Hrnciar and the Aggie golf program have also produced 13 Academic All-Americans while appearing in national championship tournaments 15 times since 1977.
For a complete listing of this year's Division II award winners, visit the GCAA online at http://gcaa.collegiategolf.com.
