April 17, 2008
USA South Announces Men's Golf Awards
Senior Nick Bova nabs Player of the Year honors

FAYETTEVILLE, NC — The USA South Athletic Conference has announced its All-Conference awards for golf. A total of 17 student-athletes have been named to the teams. Methodist University's Nick Bova is chosen as the Golfer of the Year and his coach, Steve Conley, is named Coach of the Year.

Bova, a senior from Bloomington, Illinois, collects his second consecutive Golfer of the Year honor. In 16 rounds of play this season, he averaged a USA South-best score of 71.4. Bova recorded six top-10 finishes, four top-five finishes and four tournament wins. Bova's round of 66 at the Greensboro Invitational is good for the second-lowest round in the conference this season. For his efforts, Bova earns the fourth all-conference honor of his career as he receives first team accolades for the third consecutive season to go along with his second team placement in 2005. Finally, Bova earned USA South Golfer of the Week honors four times this season.

Conley is in his 21st year at the helm of the Monarchs and earns USA South Coach of the Year honors for the third consecutive season and the 15th time in his career. He has guided his team to a conference best 290.6 stroke average in 16 rounds this season. Methodist placed first in four events this season and finished in the top-five in each tournament it participated in.

Junior Matt Bova also earned First Team honors after averaging 74.5 strokes in 20 rounds this season. Bova took top honors at the Callaway Collegiate Invitational in March. Sophomore Josh Schrader played in 12 rounds this spring to average 73.4 strokes. He finished in the top six in four of the five tournaments to earn First Team honors. Juniors Jake Pleczkowski and Tom Cooper picked up SecondTeam honors for the Monarchs.

The USA South has also recognized an All-Sportsmanship Team including a member from each conference school who has demonstrated integrity and honor during the season. Senior Nick Bova has been chosen to represent Methodist.

The 2008 USA South Golf All-Conference Teams follow:

Player of the Year
Nick Bova - Methodist

Rookie of the Year
Josh Ryals - Greensboro

Coach of the Year
Steve Conley - Methodist

First Team
Nick Bova - Methodist
Matt Bova - Methodist
Josh Cumming - Greensboro
Brad Hartman - Averett
Josh Schrader - Methodist

Second Team
Tom Cooper - Methodist
Malcolm Craig - Chris. Newport
Jake Pleczkowski - Methodist
Matt Wagner - Chris. Newport
Nick Yates - Shenandoah

Honorable Mention
Joseph Orsino - Shenandoah
Josh Ryals - Greensboro
Nick Sortino - Averett
Ryan Stugis - N.C. Wesleyan

All-Sportsmanship Team
Nathan Daly - Averett
Matt Wagner - Chris. Newport
Ryan Throckmartin - Ferrum
Josh Ryals - Greensboro
Nick Bova - Methodist
Ryan Stugis - N.C. Wesleyan
Chris Lambert - Shenandoah