BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Senior Nathan Goulding and freshman Heath West were each named to the 2002 All-Southeastern Conference Second Team on Monday, it was announced by the league office.
It marks the second-consecutive season that two golfers have been named to the team, as Alan Morgan and John Humphries made the team last season. Morgan was a first-team member and Humphries was named to the second team.
Goulding, a native of Cohuna, Australia, was named all-conference in only his second season in the league after transferring from Midland Junior College prior to the 2000-01 season. He was second on the LSU team in stroke average (72.6), top-20 finishes (five) and led the team with four top-10 finishes.
West became the first Tiger freshman since Rob McNamara in 1984 to be named All-SEC. West led the Tigers in stroke average (72.1), top-20 finishes (six), rounds under par (14, along with Goulding) and posted the Tigers’ lowest round of the year (67). He led the Tigers at the 2002 SEC Championships by finishing in a tie for fifth place and tied for the lead at the rain-shortened LSU Spring Invitational in March.
“I am real happy for both Nathan (Goulding) and Heath (West) for making the All-SEC team,” said head coach Greg Jones. “I think that Nathan definitely deserved this honor and Heath really had a great freshman season. I think he has a great chance to be an all-SEC player all four years here.”
The Auburn Tigers, the 2002 SEC Tournament Champions, had two players named to the first team, while head coach Mike Griffin was honored as Coach of the Year for the second-straight year and fourth time in his career. Florida also put two players on the first team and sophomore Camilo Villegas was named the 2002 Player of the Year. Villegas was the 2001 Freshman of the Year and also was a member of the first team last season.
Tennessee’s David Skinns was named the conference’s Freshman of the Year. Alabama and Georgia each placed two golfers on the second team.
The Tigers will participate at the NCAA Central Regional on May 16-18 at the Pleasant Valley Golf Course at Little Rock, Ark. Last season, LSU finished in a tie for 19th at the East Regional at Williamsburg, Va.
ALL-SEC FIRST TEAM
Kevin Haefner, Auburn
Lee Williams, Auburn
Camilo Benedetti, Florida
Camilo Villegas, Florida
Ryan Hybl, Georgia
John Holmes, Kentucky
David Skinns, Tennessee
Brandt Snedeker, Vanderbilt
ALL-SEC SECOND TEAM
Clint Provost, Alabama
Nick Rousey, Alabama
David Miller, Georgia
Bryant Odom, Georgia
Nathan Goulding, LSU
Heath West, LSU
Martin Rominger, South Carolina
Andrew Pratt, Tennessee
SEC Coach of the Year: Mike Griffin, Auburn
SEC Player of the Year: Camilo Villegas, Florida
SEC Freshman of the Year: David Skinns, Tennessee