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Dr. Gary Nelson Earns 2009 West Coast Conference Coach of the Year Honors
April 15, 2009
(San Francisco) - After winning the first West Coast Conference championship in 19 years, USF men's golf captured significant postseason awards as announced Wednesday by the league office. In leading USF to the first NCAA Regional berth since 1990, Dr. Gary Nelson captured WCC Coach of the Year honors and three Dons earned all-league selection. In just three years Nelson has shaped the USF program into a rising power on the West Coast. The Dons won two tournaments this season with a five-stroke victory at the Saint Mary's Invitational at Poppy Hills during the Fall season and then capped the regular season with the 10th WCC title in program history at Hiddenbrooke Golf Club. Along the way, San Francisco posted its lowest scoring average since 1990, averaging 293.70 in 30 tournament rounds in 2008-09. Nelson is the first USF men's golf coach recognized by his peers since Dick Nicolopulos in 2001. "It's a nice honor when you are recognized by your peers. I truly feel that the honor goes to the players," Nelson said. Junior Domingo Jojola was named to the WCC First Team for the third time in his career and secured the Dons WCC Championship on the 18th hole, posting a runner-up finish by one stroke in the event. The WCC Scholar-Athlete of the Month in September, Jojola won his third medalist honor at USF's triumph at the Saint Mary's Invitational and his 73.03 stroke average on the season is the second lowest turned in by a Dons golfer since 1993-94. Junior Chris Cunningham and senior Kurt Nino earned All-WCC Honorable Mention selection after turning in outstanding performances at the WCC Tournament. It is the second all-league honor for Cunningham who was a first team pick last season. The Dons team captain, Nino made history in the second round of the 2009 WCC Championship, firing an eight-under 64, matching the lowest round in league championship history. Cunningham and Nino both finished at even par in the WCC's showcase event.
WCC MEN'S GOLF COACH OF THE YEAR Dr. Gary Nelson, San Francisco WCC MEN'S GOLF PLAYER OF THE YEAR MEN'S GOLF ALL-WCC TEAM MEN'S GOLF HONORABLE MENTION |
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