EFSC's Sweeney Semifinalist for Nicklaus Award

Eastern Florida sophomore men's golfer Kerry Sweeney is among 29 NJCAA semifinalists for the 2016 Jack Nicklaus National Player of the Year Award presented by Barbasol.

The Nicklaus Award recognizes the top players at the NCAA Division I, II, III, NAIA and NJCAA levels.

Sweeney won the Nicklaus Award in 2015 as the collegiate player of the Year at the NJCAA level. He also was awarded first team PING and first team NJCAA All-American status and won the Phil Mickelson Award Presented by the Phil and Amy Mickelson Foundation as the most outstanding freshman in NJCAA Division I Men's Golf.

NJCAA finalists for 2016 will be named May 11. Nicklaus Award recipients will be announced June 2 with the honor presented by Jack Nicklaus at a ceremony during the final round of the Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide Insurance at Muirfield Village Golf Club. In addition to receiving the the Jack Nicklaus National Player of the Year Award, the five recipients will compete in the Barbasol Shootout for an exemption into the PGA TOUR's Barbasol Championship, held July 14-17, at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at Grand National in Opelika, Alabama. The Barbasol Shootout will be held Saturday, June 4 at the storied Scioto Country Club in Columbus, Ohio - the same club where Jack Nicklaus learned the game of golf as a young boy.

Sweeney hails from Melbourne, Florida and Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy.

"While some might say Kerry has had an off year compared to last year, being nominated for the Jack Nicklaus award again only further cements his place in competitive collegiate golf," said Titans head coach Jamie Howell.

"He is ranked in the top 10 in the country and his numbers for the year would be the model for most college golfers. Kerry arrives prepared to play and get better. He is the consummate student-athlete and teammate and any award he is nominated for, he is more than deserving."

The Titans this week won the NJCAA District 4 title for the third time in the past four seasons and will make their 14^th consecutive appearance in the NJCAA Division I national championship tournament May 17-20 at Duran Golf Club in Viera.

Sweeney tied for second in the district tournament, his best finish of the spring season. He won the District Preview tournament in the fall season.