Men's Golf Announces Award Recipients
September 05, 2007 | Men's Golf
Sept. 5, 2007
GREENVILLE, N.C. --- Robin Smith has been named the recipient of the first Ray Sharpe Award announced East Carolina head men's golf coach Press McPhaul. Smith will serve as a student assistant coach for the Pirate men's golf program this season, while pursuing his MBA degree.
"I'm really proud of Robin and I'm pleased that he is the first recipient of the first Ray Sharpe Award," said McPhaul. "He epitomizes what ECU golfer should be about. He is a really fine player that loves East Carolina, is from eastern North Carolina and has put a lot of sweat into the program. We're very proud of him. He is very deserving of this honor.
"I'm also grateful to Ray Sharpe for endowing a scholarship to our golf program and making this investment. At the conclusion of each season we will name a player who best exemplifies what East Carolina golf is all about. This person will be someone who demonstrated great leadership and who has a tremendous passion for the game of golf and a very high standard of excellence in academics, athletics, and citizenship. I'm delighted to be able to name this important award in his honor."
Smith was a four-year letterman at ECU and recently participated in the U.S. Amateur Championships. Smith turned in some of the top scores in school history during his career and won two individual tournament championships.
McPhaul also revealed that Andre Thorsen received team MVP honors for the 2006-07 season. Thorsen was named second team All-Conference USA honor. Thorsen posted the sixth-lowest 18-hole average among all Conference USA players with a 72.77. He recorded five top 10 finishes in nine events this season, including a pair of top three finishes. His best showing of the year came at the Palmetto intercollegiate where he came in second place.
"Andre's success is no great surprise," McPhaul said. "He is a talented guy that possesses intensity and consistency in his work ethic that is special and that allows him to do special things. We can expect more extraordinary things from here this season."
The Pirates open the 2007-08 season Monday, September 10 at the Mid Pines Intercollegiate in Pinehurst, N.C.
