July 26, 2017
See complete GCAA All-America Scholar release
Norman, Okla. – Georgia Tech golfers James Clark, Chris Petefish and Vincent Whaley have been named Cleveland Golf/Srixon All-America Scholars, the Golf Coaches Association of America announced Wednesday.
It is the 12th time in Tech golf history that two or more of its players have been named All-America Scholars, and the fifth time that as many as three have been honored. Four Tech players earned the distinction in 2014, and three Yellow Jackets were honored in 2005, 2006 and 2008.
Whaley, who graduated in May with his bachelor’s degree in business administration, made the team for the second time. Only players who have played three full years on the collegiate level are eligible to be named All-America Scholars. Clark and Petefish, both rising seniors majoring in business administration, earned the honor for the first time.
Whaley, from McKinney, Texas, won two tournaments and posted five total top-10 finishes in 33 career starts for the Yellow Jackets, and finished his career with a 72.7 stroke average in 92 rounds. Clark (Columbus, Calif.), has logged four top-10 finishes in 30 career events, and compiled a 73.1 stroke average in 89 rounds. Petefish (Danville, Calif.), has four top-10 finishes in 27 career starts and a 73.0 stroke average in 78 rounds.
The Yellow Jackets finished the spring with a tie for sixth place in the NCAA Stanford Regional, and were No. 21 in the final Golfweek/Sagarin ratings and No. 22 in the final Golfstat rankings.
Twenty-one different Yellow Jackets have earned All-America Scholar honors a total of 36 times under head coach Bruce Heppler.
A total of 260 players in Division I, 108 in Division II and 20 in NAIA earned the honor. Additionally, 41 honorees were added to the previously released Division III Cleveland Golf/Srixon All-America Scholars. To be eligible for Cleveland Golf/Srixon All-America Scholar status an individual must be a junior or senior academically, compete in at least three full years at the collegiate level, participate in 50 percent of his team’s competitive rounds, have a stroke-average under 76.0 in Division I, 78.0 in Division II, 77.0 in NAIA and 79.0 in Division III, and maintain a minimum cumulative career grade-point average of 3.2. A recipient must also be of high moral character and be in good standing at his college or university.
ABOUT GEORGIA TECH GOLF
Georgia Tech’s golf team is entering its 23rd under head coach Bruce Heppler. The Yellow Jackets have won 16 Atlantic Coast Conference Championships, made 28 appearances in the NCAA Championship and been the national runner-up four times. Connect with Georgia Tech Golf on social media by liking their Facebook page, or following on Twitter (@GT_Golf) and Instagram. For more information on Tech golf, visit Ramblinwreck.com.
