COLUMBUS, Ga.--Top-ranked USC Aiken relied on its hefty 12-stroke lead heading into Tuesday final round to hang on for a two-shot win over fourth-ranked Armstrong Atlantic State at the AFLAC/Cougar Invitational. The two-time defending NCAA Division II Men’s Golf Champions, who captured the tournament title last year as well, won their 14th in the last 17 events. Senior All-American Scott Brown ran away with the individual championship (SCOTT BROWN PICTURED).

The 54-hole event was contested at the 6,515 yard, par 71 Country Club of Columbus in Columbus, Ga. The elite Division II field features 10 of the nation’s top 25 teams.

A final round 13-over-par 297 opened the door for AASU, who made things interesting with a 287, but could not overcome the 12-shot advantage the Pacers had built after day one’s 36 holes. Following USC Aiken (+7) and Armstrong Atlantic State (+9), Pfeiffer (+16) was a distance third while West Florida (+17) and Columbus State (+19) round out the top five.

After yesterday’s rounds of 67 and 68, Brown turned in an even-par 71 on Tuesday to pull away to a seven-stroke win over Kevin Jones of Delta State and AASU’s Andrew Workman. Workman entered the day one shot in front of Brown, but a final round 79 dropped him into a tie for second at even-par 213.

Brown’s round featured a birdie on the par five fourth hole, a bogey on the par three fifth, and 16 pars. It was the fourth career title for the North Augusta product and his ninth-straight top 10 finish dating back to last year.

Dane Burkhart entered the 11th at three-under-par after carding four birdies to just one bogey, but a triple on par four hole dropped him back to even on his round. The reigning NCAA individual champion and Division II Player of the Year bogeyed 18 to finish up with a one-over-par 72. Burkhart finished the 54-hole tournament at five-over-par 218 and in a tie for 15th.

Freshman Matt Giftos struggled to an eight-over-par 79 on Tuesday after sitting tied for third following Monday’s rounds of 72 and 69. Giftos placed tied for 22nd with a total of seven-over-par 220. Junior Clint Smith also dropped back in the individual standings after Tuesday’s final round 80, falling from sixth into a tie for 31st at nine-over-par. Casey Thompson carded a four-over-par 75 to finish tied for 34th with a 223.

USC Aiken closed out the fall portion of their 2005-06 schedule with three wins in four events. Burkhart will compete in the prestigious Sun Bowl Golf Classic in El Paso, Texas on November 19-22. The Pacers will open up the spring season on February 6-7 at the Outback Steakhouse Intercollegiate in Panama City, Fla.

AFLAC/COUGAR INVITATIONAL
THE C.C. OF COLUMBUS COLUMBUS, GA
PAR: 71 YARDAGE: 6,515 DATES: OCTOBER 3-4

TEAM RESULTS
1 USC Aiken.............................278 284 297 859 +7
2 Armstrong Atl. State...............290 284 287 861 +9
3 Pfeiffer....................................296 284 288 868 +16
4 West Florida............................293 287 289 869 +17
5 Columbus State.......................293 290 288 871 +19
6 North Alabama........................288 295 300 883 +31
7 Valdosta State........................298 293 299 890 +38
Georgia Coll. & State..................301 280 309 890 +38
9 West Georgia..........................297 285 309 891 +39
Barry..........................................298 302 291 891 +39
11 Delta State.............................300 293 299 892 +40
12 Presbyterian..........................295 300 298 893 +41
13 UNC Pembroke......................300 301 301 902 +50
14 Clayton State.........................305 303 299 907 +55
Florida Gulf Coast.......................297 297 313 907 +55
16 Lander...................................300 308 302 910 +58
17 Catawba................................304 304 308 916 +64
18 North Greenville.....................305 312 310 927 +75

USCA INDIVIDUAL RESULTS (+7) (1st)
Scott Brown.......................67 68 71 206 -7 (1st)
Dane Burkhart.....................71 75 72 218 +5 (T-15th)
Matt Giftos..........................72 69 79 220 +7 (T-22nd)
Clint Smith...........................70 72 80 222 +9 (T-31st)
Casey Thompson...............70 78 75 223 +10 (T-34th)

INDIVIDUAL WINNER
Scott Brown, USC Aiken...........67 68 71 206 -7 (1st)

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