WLU's James Top Finisher, Takes Home Two More Awards

AMHERST, Va. --- Washington and Lee University held on through erratic weather at Poplar Grove Golf Club to win the 2008 ODAC Golf Championships.  The victory marks the 11^th overall league title for the Generals' program and earns the squad the conference's automatic bid into the national tournament at Chateau Elan Resort in Braselton, Georgia.

The final day ended in a way Nathaniel James will never forget.  The Generals' senior finished the tournament as the individual medalist, posting a 222 three-round total (75-70-77).  James also took home two other pieces of hardware as the ODAC Golfer of the Year and the ODAC/Farm Bureau Scholar-Athlete of the Year.  Off the course, James boasts a 3.525 grade point average while majoring in politics.

Washington and Lee started the third round with a 28-stroke advantage over second place Guilford.  The Quakers charged hard through the sometimes blustery wind and stop-and-start rains to have all four scoring players post rounds of 75 or better (72, 73, 75, 75 for 295).  The Generals, on the other hand, shot their worst round of the tournament with no individual mark lower than 76 (76, 77, 78, 82 for 313).  But in the end, W&L's strong play during the first two days proved too much to overtake.

The Generals' 909 total score proved 10 shots better than Guilford (919).  Hampden-Sydney College moved into third place with a solid 301 in the final round (929 total).

Listed below are the final team and individual results as well as the 2008 All-ODAC Golf teams.  For more information on ODAC golf, visit the ODAC on the Internet at www.odaconline.com and go to the championship's website from the ODAC homepage.  You can also visit the ODAC Golf Championships website by clicking HERE.

2008 ODAC Golf Championships - Poplar Grove G.C. - Amherst, Va.
Team Rankings - Round 3
1. Washington and Lee: 302-294-313 -- 909
2. Guilford: 321-303-295 -- 919
3. Hampden-Sydney: 310-318-301 -- 929
4. Randolph-Macon: 323-305-319 -- 947
5. Lynchburg: 330-308-310 -- 948
6. Roanoke: 320-314-316 -- 950
7. Bridgewater: 325-314-313 -- 952
8. Virginia Wesleyan: 330-328-317 -- 975
9. Emory & Henry: 394-363-387 -- 1144

Individual Top Six - Named to the All-Tournament Team
1. Nathaniel James, Washington and Lee: 75-70-77 -- 222
2. Ralston King, Randolph-Macon: 72-74-78 -- 224
2. Brad Watts, Washington and Lee: 76-72-76 -- 224
4. Mike Redwood, Bridgewater: 78-71-76 -- 225
5. Burton Wood, Guilford: 81-73-72 -- 226
6. Brian Creghan, Guilford: 77-77-73 -- 227

Bridgewater Eagles: 325-314-313 -- 952

Emory & Henry Wasps:  394-363-387 -- 1144

Guilford Quakers: 321-303-295 -- 919

Hampden-Sydney Tigers:  310-318-301 -- 929

Lynchburg Hornets:  330-308-310 -- 948

Randolph-Macon Yellow Jackets:  323-305-319 -- 947

Roanoke Maroons:  320-314-316 -- 950

Virginia Wesleyan Marlins:  330-328-317 -- 975

Washington & Lee Generals:  302-294-313 -- 909

2008 All-ODAC Golf Teams
Player of the Year: Nathaniel James, Washington and Lee
Coach of the Year: Gavin Colliton, Washington and Lee
Rookie of the Year: Michael Shrader, Randolph-Macon
ODAC/Farm Bureau Scholar-Athlete: Nathaniel James, Washington and Lee
Sportsmen of the Year: Brian Creghan, Guilford and Adam Rhodes, Bridgewater 

All-ODAC First Team
Bob Boykin, Hampden-Sydney
Nick Combs, Hampden-Sydney
Shawn Harper, Bridgewater
Nathaniel James, Washington and Lee
Ralston King, Randolph-Macon
Peter Latimer, Guilford
Burton Wood, Guilford 

All-ODAC Second Team
Mark Ashby, Roanoke
Brandon Baker, Virginia Wesleyan
Michael Butzgy, Lynchburg
Greg Hanlon, Lynchburg
Ryan Robertson, Roanoke
Michael Shrader, Randolph-Macon 

Honorable Mention
Brian Creghan, Guilford
Nick Fallon, Randolph-Macon
Joe Gibson, Washington and Lee
Mike Redwood, Bridgewater
Rob Shrader, Hampden-Sydney
Ryan White, Lynchburg