Honors and Awards :: 2001 National College Golf Awards :: Division I

PING First-Team All-America selections are Nick Cassini, Georgia, Luke Donald, Northwestern, John Engler, Clemson, Nick Gilliam, Florida, Lucas Glover, Clemson, Anders Hultman, Oklahoma State, Matt Jones, Arizona State, Jon Mills, Kent State, Bryce Molder, Georgia Tech, Camilo Villegas, Florida and Chris Wisler, East Tennessee State.

Nick Cassini, Georgia: Cassini was named SEC Player of the Year. He is one of eight Americans chosen to represent the U.S. in the 2001 Palmer Cup presented by CSFBdirect. Cassini finished in the top-4 four times in 2000-01, including a win at the Schenkel Invitational.

Luke Donald, Northwestern: Donald was named Big Ten Player of the Year for the third consecutive year. His 2000-01 stroke average of 70.76 is third in school history, just behind his averages from the two previous years. Donald owns every school record except one (lowest round), and won four-straight tournaments this season.

John Engler, Clemson: Engler won the ACC Championship with a score of 203 (-13), and was named to the U.S team for the Palmer Cup presented by CSFBdirect. He holds school records in stroke average and rounds under par.

Nick Gilliam, Florida: Gilliam won medalist honors at the NCAA Championships, leading the Gators to the team championship at Duke University Golf Club. His number one finish at nationals marked Gilliam's fourth top-10 finish this season.

Lucas Glover, Clemson: Glover will represent the U.S. in the 2001 Palmer Cup presented by CSFBdirect. He won the 2001 Puerto Rico Classic, and is the three-time South Carolina Amateur Champion (1998-2000).

Anders Hultman, Oklahoma State: Hultman posted five top-5 finishes this season, including three wins. He won medalist honors at the Rolex/Golf World Invitational, ASU Thunderbird/SAVANE Invitational and The Maxwell.

Matt Jones, Arizona State: Jones has six top-five finishes in 2000-01. The highlight of the season came at the NCAA West Regional, where he shared medalist honors while leading the Sun Devils to a first-place finish.

Jon Mills, Kent State: Mills won the MAC Championship and led Kent State to the team championship at the conference tournament and the NCAA Central Regional. Mills finished in sixth place at the NCAA Championships, his ninth top-10 finish of the season.

Bryce Molder, Georgia Tech: Molder is a four-time PING First-Team All-American. Finishing in a tie for eighth at the NCAA Championships, Molder posted his 11th top-10 finish of the season. He will represent the United States in the 2001 Palmer Cup presented by CSFBdirect.

Camilo Villegas, Florida: Villegas is the only freshman named 2001 PING First-Team All-American. Villegas won medalist honors at the NCAA East Regional. His East Regional first round score of 64 (-8) set a course record at Golden Horseshoe Golf Club in Richmond, Virginia.

Chris Wisler, East Tennessee State: Wisler has finished in the top-10 in nine of East Tennessee State's 13 tournaments, including seven top-5 finishes. Wisler was named to the U.S. team for the 2001 Palmer Cup presented by CSFBdirect. His final round 64 and three-round total of 201 at the Rolex/Golf World Invitational earned him a tie for third and set ETSU records.

The GCAA All-America Committee selected the individuals based upon play throughout the 2000-01 season, including the NCAA Championships. To be named to the PING All-America teams, a player must be named to one of the PING All-District teams or finish in the top 15 at the NCAA Championships.

The 2001 PING All-District teams were announced Monday, May 28 at the GCAA National Awards Banquet in Durham, N.C.

The GCAA All-America Committee also selected Camilo Villegas of the University of Florida as winner of the 2000-01 Softspikes Freshman of the Year. Villegas entered the NCAA Championships with a stroke average of 71.00, and was also named SEC Freshman of the Year. The Medellin, Colombia native finished tied for 22nd at the NCAA Championships by shooting a 288 (E).

Bryce Molder of Georgia Tech was named recipient of the Nicklaus Award. The Nicklaus Award is given annually to the player who excels throughout the course of the entire 2000-01 season.

Molder claimed three victories this season, and finished out of the top four only twice. Molder was selected PING First-Team All-America four times, and will compete in his third Palmer Cup later this month.

The Palmer Award is presented annually to the medalist at the NCAA Championships in Divisions I, II and III. The University of Florida's Nick Gilliam is the 2000-01 Division I Palmer Award winner. Gilliam won the individual championship at Duke University Golf Club in Durham, N.C. by shooting a 276 (-12).