Laker Golfer Named All-America Scholar

Clark Nelson among 10 from PBC to be honored

NORMAN, Okla. – August 1, 2012 – Clayton State senior golfer Clark Nelson was among 52 Cleveland Golf/Srixon All-America Scholars selected for the 2011-12 season.  The announcement came last week by the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA).  Nelson, from Glasgow, Scotland, was one of 10 Peach Belt Conference golfers to make the prestigious team.

The Peach Belt Conference dominated the nation with 10 selections to the team, more than any other Division II league.  The Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) was second with eight golfers named to the team while the California Collegiate Athletic Association had six and the Gulf South and Sunshine State conferences had five each.  PBC golfers claimed 19% of all available spots on the team.

“This is a nice honor for Clark,” said Laker golf coach Steve Runge.  “Clark has been a great representative of the golf team on the course and in the classroom. He’s a nice example of a team leader.”

Nelson, a marketing major who will graduate this academic year, earned the team’s academic award, as well as the Joe Hamilton Award this past season.  He was also a finalist for the Laker Award, given to the top male student-athlete each year.

To be eligible for Cleveland Golf/Srixon All-America Scholar status, an individual must be a junior or senior academically, compete in at least three full years at the collegiate level, participate in 70 percent of his team’s competitive rounds or compete in the NCAA Championships, have a stroke-average under 78.0 and maintain a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 3.20.  A recipient must also be of high moral character and be in good standing at his college or university.