May 3, 2004

COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina men’s golf team members Eirik Johansen (first team), Alex Hamilton (second team) and Martin Rominger (second team) were all named to the All-Southeastern Conference team as announced by the league office on Monday afternoon. The three Gamecocks selected to the all-conference team are the most in a single year in school history.

“I am very happy for Eirik, Alex and Martin to all be selected to the All-SEC team,” said South Carolina head coach Puggy Blackmon. “All three of them have had solid years for our team and have been our top performers throughout the season. They are all very deserving and it is a great accomplishment for our program to have three players selected for the first time.”

Johnansen, who earned first-team accolades for the second-straight year, has turned in an outstanding sophomore campaign, posting six top-10 finishes and eight top-20 placements in 12 tournaments this year. His 72.56 scoring average ranks second on the team and he captured his first victory as a collegian with a win at the Palmetto Collegiate, with a 54-hole score of 9-under-par, 67-68-69-204.

Hamilton was named to the All-SEC second team for the first time in his career, as he has been one of South Carolina’s most consistent performers this spring. The junior has been the top Gamecock finisher in three of the last four tournaments, including a career-best tie for fifth place at the SEC Championship with a three-day score of 71-68-72-211. On the year, Hamilton ranks third on the team with a 73.06 scoring average and has four top-10 finishes.

Rominger garnered All-SEC recognition for the second time in his career, as he was also named to the second team in 2002 as a freshman. The junior standout leads South Carolina with a 72.50 scoring average and is second on the team with four top-10 finishes and seven top-20 placements this year. Rominger’s best finish of the year came in a tie for second place at The Ridges Intercollegiate in the fall.

The Gamecocks will not return to action until May 20-22 at the NCAA Regional. The full field for the NCAA Men’s Golf Championship will be announced on May 10.