MORROW, Ga. – May 15, 2009 – The 2009 season may have not concluded the way the Clayton State Laker men’s golf team would’ve liked, but the Lakers received a strong consolation to the end of the season on Thursday.

Clayton State finished tied for 14th nationally in the fifth and final Division II Golf World/Nike Top 25 Coaches’ Poll. It is arguably the first time ever that the Lakers have gone the entire fall and spring seasons nationally ranked in men’s golf.

It is also the second-highest finish ever in the Division II Top 25 for Clayton State. The 1999 Laker squad that finished seventh at the NCAA Division II National Championships finished 11th in the final Division II Top 25 poll that season.

Head coach Barry Harwell’s Peach Belt Conference champion Lakers tied for 14th with Valdosta State, and held that spot for the second straight poll. In addition, Clayton State was one of five Peach Belt Conference teams in the Division II Top 25. Columbus State and Georgia College held the top two spots for the second straight poll, respectively, while USC Aiken dropped from fifth to 13th in the new poll.

The fifth PBC team nationally-ranked in the final Division II Top 25 Coaches’ poll was Lander at 17th.