April 30, 2015

COLUMBIA, S.C — South Carolina junior golfers Matt NeSmith and Will Starke have earned first-team All-SEC honors as selected by the league’s 14 head coaches, the conference announced Thursday.

The selection marks the third-straight year NeSmith has been named to an All-SEC team, while this is Starke’s first All-SEC honor. NeSmith was named to the second team last year and received Co-SEC Freshman of the Year and All-Freshman Team honors in 2013. This also marks the first time two Gamecocks have been on the first team since 2008, when Mark Anderson and George Bryan IV received first-team honors.

“Both Will and Matt have performed at a very high level for us all year, and it is an incredible honor for our program to have two players earn First-Team All-SEC,” South Carolina head coach Bill McDonald said. “I could not be more proud of their accomplishments. Both of these young men have been great representatives of our program and our University since they arrived on campus and they have been an absolute pleasure to coach. Congratulations Will and Matt!”

A native of North Augusta, S.C., NeSmith became just the second Gamecock to win an SEC title as he claimed a six-stroke victory at the SEC Championship with a school-record 54-hole total of 196 (-14). He has finished in the top 20 in seven of 10 events this season, including two tournament wins. His stroke average of 70.07 ranks fifth in the SEC and 12th nationally and is currently the second lowest for a single season in school history. He has carded 11 rounds in the 60s, including seven straight. NeSmith ranks in the top five in school history in career top-five (9) and top-10 (16) finishes.

Starke has elevated his game this season to become one of the top collegiate golfers in the country. A native of Chapin, S.C., Starke has finished in the top 15 in eight of 10 events this season, including six top fives and a tournament win. His six top-five finishes are tied for the most in a single season in school history, and his 11 career top-five finishes are tied for the third most in school history. His stroke average of 69.97 ranks fourth in the SEC and 10th nationally and is currently the lowest all-time at Carolina for a single season. He has also shot in the 60s 18 times, with seven coming in the final round.

NeSmith, Starke and the rest of the Gamecocks will find out their NCAA Regional destination on Monday, May 4. The NCAA Selection Show is scheduled to air live at 10 a.m. on the Golf Channel’s Morning Drive.

2015 SEC MEN’S GOLF AWARDS
FIRST TEAM ALL-SEC
Matt NeSmith, South Carolina (SEC Championship Medalist)
Robby Shelton, Alabama
Will Starke, South Carolina
Hunter Stewart, Vanderbilt
Lee McCoy, Georgia
Ben Schlottman, Auburn
Matt Gilchrest, Auburn
Matthias Schwab, Vanderbilt

SECOND TEAM ALL-SEC
Brandon Pierce, LSU
Zach Wright, LSU
Taylor Moore, Arkansas
J.D. Tomlinson, Florida
Theo Humphrey, Vanderbilt
Stewart Jolly, LSU
Carson Jacobs, Vanderbilt
*Eric Ricard, LSU
*Michael Johnson, Auburn

COACH OF THE YEAR
Chuck Winstead, LSU

PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Hunter Stewart, Vanderbilt

FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR
Ben Schlottman, Auburn

SCHOLAR-ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Forrest Gamble, Ole Miss

ALL-FRESHMAN TEAM
Theo Humphrey, Vanderbilt
Tyler ‘Chip’ McDaniel, Kentucky
Ben Schlottman, Auburn
Alejandro Tosti, Florida
Jonathan Hardee, Alabama

* – Indicates a tie