March 6, 2013

COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina senior Dykes Harbin has been named the SEC Men’s Golfer of the Week, and freshman Matt NeSmith has earned SEC Men’s Freshman of the Week honors, the league announced Wednesday.

The Gamecock duo swept the awards after leading South Carolina to a second-place finish at the USF Invitational. South Carolina finished just one stroke out of first place at the event.

Harbin, a native of Augusta, Ga., tied for second at the USF Invitational to lead the way. He posted rounds of 68, 72 and 71 for a total of 211 (-5), which is the second-best 54-hole score of his career. The finish was his fifth top-20 showing of the season, including his second in the top five. Harbin leads the team and ranks seventh in the conference with a scoring average of 72.17.

A native of North Augusta, S.C., NeSmith tied for 10th at the event, his third top-10 finish of the year. He wrapped up the week with a career-best 54-hole total of 216 (E) with rounds of 74, 71 and 71. On the year NeSmith is fourth on the team with a stroke average of 73.89, which ranks third among freshmen in the conference.

The Gamecocks, who have finished first, third and second in their last three tournaments, return to action on Monday, March 11 in the first round of the Palmetto Intercollegiate. The teams will play 36 holes on the first day and 18 on Tuesday at the Palmetto Golf Club in Aiken, S.C.