Five Tide Golfers On Scholars Squads

Four members of the Alabama women’s golf team were named to the National Golf Coaches Association All-America Scholars Team, while men’s golfer Matthew Swan was recognized on the Cleveland Golf/Srixon All-America Scholars Team.

Swan represented the Alabama men’s team on the Golf/Srixon All-America Scholars Team for the second straight year. Swan’s accomplishments on the course were equally impressive as he played in 45 career tournaments with nine top 10s. The Montgomery native was an honorable mention All-American in 2008 and was a three-time All-SEC selection.

On the women’s side, senior Laura Goodwin completed her career for the Tide this spring and made her fourth straight appearance on the All-American Scholars Team. Goodwin, majoring in kinesiology, adds to her impressive resume of off the course achievements that includes being named an ESPN/Cosida Academic All-American in 2008, a four-time Academic All-SEC choice and earning a spot on the 2008 and 2009 All-SEC Community Service Team.

Junior Helena Blomberg received academic All-America honors for the second straight season. The Uppsala, Sweden native is majoring in economics and has competed in 29 events in three seasons for Alabama with six top 10 finishes.

Senior Kathleen Ekey added another honor to her memorable career at the Capstone by being selected to the team. Ekey is completing her degree in communication studies as she prepares to begin the qualification process for the LPGA tour. In two seasons at UA, Ekey set the school scoring average record in 2007-08 and collected 11 top 10 finishes in 24 events including two outright victories.

Freshman Brooke Pancake was selected to the team after her first collegiate season. Pancake, a pre-business major, played in 11 of the Tide’s 12 tournaments and notched five top 10 finishes. The Chattanooga, Tenn. native was a first-team Freshman All-SEC selection.

A total of 410 collegiate golfers were named to the NGCA All-America Scholars team, which carries some to the most stringent requirements in collegiate athletics. The minimum cumulative GPA is 3.50 and student-athletes must have competed in at least 50 percent (Division I) or 66 percent (Division II & III) of the college’s regularly scheduled competitive rounds during the year.

A total of 108 Division I men’s golfers made the team. Criteria for making the team includes being a junior or senior, holding a 3.2 GPA or higher, competing in 70 percent or more of the team’s scheduled events and maintaining a scoring average of 76.0 or better.