The end came this week to USC Aiken’s run of success in the NCAA Division II tournament.
The Pacers, ranked fifth nationally, tied for 14th in the South/Southeast Regional and missed what had become the team’s annual trip to the D-II championship. It was the fourth time in 18 years that coach Michael Carlisle’s squad did not qualify for the finals. USC Aiken the past six seasons won three team titles (2004-06) and a pair of individual crowns, including Jeff Goff a year ago when the Pacers placed seventh as a team. USC Aiken had Division III runner-up finishes in 1995, 1996 and 1999. Senior Writer bgillespiethestate.com (803) 771-8304 Roberto Diaz tied for 16th to lead USC Aiken at the Shoals Fighting Joe Course in Muscle Shoals, Ala. USC Aiken finished at 896. Lander at 10th finished highest of four South Carolina teams in the regional Coker tied for 11th and Newberry was 18th.
Nicklaus, Buoniconti team up. Jack Nicklaus played host at his Bear’s Club in Florida for the Buoniconti Fund Golf Invitational to raise funds for the Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis, part of the Miami Project.