TWO FERRIS STATE GOLFERS EARN GCAA ALL-AMERICA SCHOLAR HONORS

Leonard and Pazdera Garner National Academic Accolades

Everett Leonard	Jon Pazdera

Leonard and Pazdera were among 35 individuals from across the nation and six from Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC)-member institutions to be selected Division II All-America Scholars by the GCAA, which is the professional association of men’s golf coaches and is based in Norman, Okla. Established in 1958, the GCAA is a non-profit organization dedicated to educating, promoting, and recognizing both its members and the student-athletes who participate in collegiate golf at all levels. Through its established events and programs, the GCAA maintains a goal of increasing awareness and the status of men's collegiate golf.

The award is given annually to collegiate players who are at least juniors academically and maintain a 3.0 overall grade point average or above. They must also have a stroke average under 78 while competing in at least 70 percent of their team’s rounds during the season. A recipient must also be of high moral character and in good standing at his college or university.

Leonard concluded this season with a 76.30 scoring average (1,526 strokes) in 20 rounds which ranked second best on the team. He registered three top-five finishes during the 2003-04 campaign highlighted by a season-high and team-leading second-place tying performance at the GLIAC Championships (Oct. 6-7) with a three-round 217 stroke total. He tied for fourth place (147 score) at the Bay Valley Intercollegiate Tournament (Sept. 26-27) and turned in a fifth-place tying effort (149 score) at the Grand Valley State Invitational (Sept. 14). Leonard, who posted a 78.50 average (157 strokes) in two rounds a season ago, concluded his two-year FSU career with a 76.50 average (1,683 strokes) in 22 rounds.

Pazdera participated in 15 rounds this campaign and finished with a personal career-best 76.87 stroke average (1,153 strokes). He placed among the top 20 in three tournaments this season, which included finishing twice in the top 10 – tied for eighth place with a 221 three-round score at the GLIAC Championships and carded a 10th-place tying 150 total at the Findlay Oiler Invitational (April 9-10) as the Bulldogs captured top team honors. Pazdera was Ferris State’s top individual finisher at the Grand Valley State Invitational as a result of firing a 14th-place tying 152 stroke total. Last season, he placed fifth among the squad’s strokes leaders with a 76.95 average (1,616 strokes) in 21 rounds. A 2003 GLIAC All-Academic selection, Pazdera wrapped up his two-year Bulldog career with a 76.92 career average (2,769 strokes) in 36 rounds.

Both student-athletes are majoring in Marketing/Professional Golf Management.