May 3, 2011

IRVING, Texas - The University of Memphis golf team was well-represented in Conference USA's postseason awards, as three Tigers earned accolades.

Jonathan Fly was named to Conference USA's first team for the second straight season, while Jack Belote was named to the second team and Grant Milner was selected to the All-Freshman Team.

Fly, who won the Conference USA Men's Golf Championship last week, was the most consistent performer for the Tigers during the 2010-11 campaign. He competed in all 11 events and shattered the Memphis individual scoring record with an average of 71.7 strokes per round. The previous record was 72.6 by Ian Rochester in 2007-08. Fly finished in the top-10 in eight of 11 events and also posted three top-five showings.

"This is a very deserving honor for Jonathan," University of Memphis head coach Grant Robbins said. "He has a great mental game and has really worked hard on his short game to develop more consistency."

Belote was the only other Tiger besides Fly to win an individual title this year, posting a season and team-low 54-hole total of 205 (66-69-70) to win medalist honors at the Mason Rudolph Championship. He finished the season with a 72.7 scoring average in 29 rounds played.

"I'm very proud of Jack," Robbins said. "He's gotten better each year he's been here and showed a lot of consistency this year by finishing in the top-20 in all but one tournament."

Milner, who redshirted last season, stepped into his first full season of competition and joined Fly and Steve Lee as the only Memphis players to compete in all 11 events. He posted a low finish of 14th at the River Landing Intercollegiate where he carded scores of 70-74-70. Milner finished the season with a 74.0 scoring average in 32 rounds played.

"It's not easy to step in and contribute in your first season of competition, but I'm very proud of Grant," Robbins said. "He had a really solid freshman season."

The Tigers find out Monday, May 9 if they will receive an at-large bid to one of six NCAA Regional sites.

2011 C-USA MEN'S GOLF AWARDS

Golfer of the Year: Kelly Kraft, SMU

Freshman of the Year: Greg Eason, UCF

Newcomer of the Year: Will Dusenbury, Houston

Coach of the Year: Bryce Wallor, UCF

All-Conference First Team: Connor Arendell (UCF), Jonathan Fly (Memphis), Kelly Kraft (SMU), Harold Varner (East Carolina), David Watkins (East Carolina), Michael Whitehead (Rice)

All-Conference Second Team: Jack Belote (Memphis) Greg Eason (UCF), Derek Plucienski (Southern Miss), Jason Shufflebotham (UAB), Chris Worrell (Tulsa)

All-Freshman Team: Greg Eason (UCF), Grant Milner (Memphis), Curtis Reed (Houston), Johannes Veerman (Tulsa), Jeff Wibawa (Rice)