USCB's Thacker named third-team NAIA All-American

With two individual titles in the fall and a pair of top-10 finishes in the spring, George Thacker put together quite a resumé during his sophomore season on USC Beaufort's men's golf team.

The native of Ashbourne, England, added another line to his credentials Friday, as he was named as a third-team selection to the PING NAIA All-America team.

"George is tremendous," USCB coach Shane LeBaron said. "He works as hard as anyone who plays the game, if not harder, and he understand the game. ... He's kind of a quiet leader of the team. He lets his play do most of the talking, and he never gets too emotional."

During the fall, Thacker won twice in the span of three tournaments, claiming individual titles at the Wilmington Island Club Intercollegiate and USCB's J. Lindeberg Sand Shark Classic and leading the Sand Sharks to the team titles in both events. Despite fighting a balky putter at the NAIA National Championships last month, he tied for 21st overall, helping USCB to a seventh-place showing in the team standings.

"He and the putter don't always agree with each other, but when they do, amazing things happen," LeBaron said.

Thacker could not be reached for comment Friday. LeBaron said he is in Europe.

THE THACKER FILE

Class: Sophomore

Hometown: Ashbourne, England

2008-09 highlights: Won twice in the fall, claiming titles at the Wilmington Island Club Intercollegiate and USCB's J. Lindeberg Sand Shark Classic. Continued solid play in spring with top-10 finishes at the Eagle Invitational and Charleston Southern Spring Kickoff and tied for 21st at the NAIA National Championships in May.

Season scoring average: 75.38