Clayton State holds steady at 20th in final 2007-08
Golf World/Nike Golf Division II Coaches’ Poll
Peach Belt Conference runner-up Lakers ranked in fifth straight Division II Top 25 poll for men’s golf

MORROW, Ga. – May 14, 2008 – For an unprecedented fifth straight time, the Clayton State Laker men’s golf team finds itself again nationally-ranked in Division II. And this will be for the end of the season as well.

The Lakers held steady at 20th in the nation in the fifth and final Golf World/Nike Golf Division II Top 25 Coaches’ Poll of the season, which was released on Wednesday. It marks the first time ever in program history that Clayton State has been nationally-ranked for five straight rating periods in men’s golf.

Clayton State received 84 points in the new poll, fresh off finishing fourth last week at the NCAA Division II Southeast Regioanls and qualifying for this week’s NCAA Division II National Championships. Head coach Barry Harwell’s Lakers are three points behind 19th-ranked Central Oklahoma and six points behind 18th-ranked Cal State-San Bernandino.

Clayton State is one of four teams from the Peach Belt Conference that is ranked in the Division II Top 25 Coaches’ Poll. Three-time Division II National Champion and 2008 Peach Belt Conference champion USC Aiken is ranked fifth, while Georgia College jumped from ninth to seventh after winning last week’s Southeast Regionals. Three-time Division II National Champion Columbus State is ranked 12th.

West Florida retained the No. 1 ranking in the Division II Top 25 for a third straight poll, ahead of Sonoma State, St. Edward’s and Florida Southern.

Up next for the Lakers is the NCAA Division II National Championships on May 14-17 at Memorial Park Golf Club in Houston, Texas.