GREENSBORO, Ga. (May 14, 2007) -- For the second tournament in a row, the 20th-ranked Georgia State men's golf team captured a second-place finish firing a 290 in the final round to surpass 24th-ranked Florida State by two-strokes at the Linger Longer Invitational at Reynolds Plantation's Oconee Course.

State's 854 three-round total was not enough this time to catch No. 1-ranked Georgia, who took home the title with an 835 three-round total. The Panthers had finished in second-place at the Colonial Athletic Association Championship in April. In this tough field, the Panthers finished ahead of five teams ranked in the current top 25 teams, including third-ranked Alabama, which tied for fifth.

"We lost a little momentum heading into the back nine," said head coach Matt Clark. "We were trying to make a run, but couldn't finish it off. We still had a solid round of gold, and it was great to see some of the supporters of the program come out and support us."

Senior Derek Oakey and freshman Tom Sherreard finished tied for 11th with 213 totals. Sherreard matched his career-low score with a final round 69 that he last shot at the season opening Carpet Capital Collegiate. Oakey shot a final round 76 after tying the course record with a 65 in the second round.

"Tom's been playing solid for awhile, and it just hasn't translated to a tournament until today," Clark said. "Hopefully, he can continue this momentum into the NCAA Regionals."

Junior Joel Sjoholm finished tied for 17th after a final round of 70. Sophomore Mark Haastrup tied for 24th with a final round of 75. Senior Ben Taylor finished tied for 44th after a final round of 78.

State is back in action May 17 for the first round of the NCAA East Regional at the Golf Club of Georgia in Alpharetta, Ga.

Linger Longer Invitational
Reynolds Plantation (Oconee Course)
7,393 yards, Par 72
1. Georgia 273 286 276 835 -29
2. Georgia State Univ. 287 277 290 854 -10
3. Florida State Univ. 283 279 294 856 -8
4. Tennessee-Chattanooga 288 282 293 863 -1
T5. Charlotte 290 287 287 864 E
T5. Alabama, U. of 285 288 291 864 E
7. Mississippi St. U. 296 288 284 868 +4
8. Georgia Southern 284 288 297 869 +5
9. Augusta State 289 285 296 870 +6
10. Memphis, U. of 290 285 300 875 +11
11. Louisville, U. of 287 287 302 876 +12
12. North Carolina 296 290 295 881 +17
13. Louisiana State U. 297 295 297 889 +25
14. Kennesaw St. Univ. 304 299 304 907 +43
15. Mercer University 314 298 315 927 +63

Individuals:
T11. Tom Sherreard -3 F 73 71 69 213
T11. Derek Oakey -3 F 72 65 76 213
T17. Joel Sjoholm -1 F 73 72 70 215
T24. Mark Haastrup E F 72 69 75 216
T44. Ben Taylor +6 F 70 74 78 222