Brent Witcher Named Top DII Golfer

Senior recipient of Jack Nicklaus Award

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Valdosta State senior Brent Witcher was named the recipient of the Jack Nicklaus Award as the nation's top NCAA Division II golfer Sunday.

Witcher was awarded his honor the legendary Nicklaus before the final round of the Memorial Tournament presented by Morgan Stanley at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio Sunday morning.

The Lawrenceville, Ga. native led Valdosta State in 10 of its 11 tournaments this season, averaging 71.1 strokes in 31 rounds on the season. Witcher finished in the top five in five tournament, including victories at the AASU/Southbridge Pirate Invitational and the First Federal Southeastern Collegiate during the spring schedule.

Witcher was named the Gulf South Conference Player of the Year for the second straight season in April, becoming the first Blazer to earn the honor in back-to-back seasons since Scott Hay did so in 1988 and 1989. He also earned All-America honors for the second straight season as he was a finalist for the Nicklaus Award in 2007-08.

"It is an unbelievable honor to be chosen as the national Player of the Year, particularly when you take into account just how many great golfers there are in the Division II ranks," said Witcher after the awards ceremony. "It makes the award even more special that I received it from the greatest golfer to ever play the game. I feel like a lot of hard work has paid off today."

Witcher becomes the second Valdosta State golfer to be named the nation's top Division II golfer, joining Briny Baird, who earned the honor in 1994.

Witcher tallied 12 top five finishes in 22 career tournaments with the Blazers, including first place finishes in five of those events. His scored counted in 61 of the 63 rounds he played for VSU as he finished outside of the top 20 in just two tournaments during his career.

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