June 7, 2004

NORMAN, Okla. - Lamar golfer Chris Stroud was named to the Ping All-America first team on Monday by the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA).

A third team selection last year, Stroud helped Lamar reach its fourth straight NCAA Central Regional this season. He won medalist honors in six of 13 tournaments and posted a 70.02 season scoring average. He shot par or better in 31 of 37 rounds, and posted 15 rounds in the 60s. He shot a career-low round of 8-under 64 at the Herb Wimberly Invitational hosted by New Mexico State.

Stroud, a senior from Groves, was named Southland Conference player of the year for the fourth straight season and became the first golfer in SLC history to earn first team all-conference honors all four years. He twice won medalist honors at the SLC Tournament, and lost his bid for a third on the first playoff hole this season to Robert Jefferson of Sam Houston State.

Before turning professional later this summer, Stroud will play for the U.S. Palmer Cup Team Aug. 6-7 at Ballybunion Golf Club in County Kerry, Ireland.

Joining Stroud on the first team were Matt Every of Florida, Bill Haas of Wake Forest, Jason Hartwick of Texas, John Holmes of Kentucky, Brock Mackenzie of Washington, Ryan Moore of UNLV, Chris Nallen of Arizona, Peter Tomasulo of California and Camilo Villegas of Florida.