PINEHURST, NC -- The University of Delaware golf team posted its best-ever finish at the Colonial Athletic Association Championships as the Blue Hens fired a team score of 308 Sunday to finish in fifth place at the three-day tournament at Pinehurst Country Club.

Delaware, which had never finished higher than eighth in its four previous trips to the CAA championships, posted its best conference finish since the 2001 squad placed third at the America East championships.

CAA newcomer Georgia State placed four golfers in the top five to easily win the team title with a three-day, 72-hole team score of 871, 22 strokes better than runner-up Virginia Commonwealth. James Madison was third at 903 followed by two-time defending champion UNC Wilmington (920), Delaware (924), Towson (925), George Mason (927), William & Mary (928), OId Dominion (931), Drexel (940), and Hofstra (959).

Delaware junior Joe McLister (Loudoun Valley/Leesburg, VA - at right) led the Blue Hens at the CAA tournament for the second straight year as he placed tied for 10th after shooting his best round of the tournament Sunday with a score of 73 over the 6,943-yard, par 71 Pinehurst No. 6 Course.

McLister, who shot 76 Friday and 77 Saturday, improved upon his 23rd place showing last year and 30th in 2004. His 10th place finish is the first top 10 finish for a Delaware player since Mike Hoffman tied for ninth at the 2001 America East Tournament.

Delaware freshman Jeff Griest shot 80 on Sunday to place 17th at 231, Josh Williamowsky fired a 73 on Sunday to finish 20th at 231, Matt Grobstein carded an 84 Sunday to finish 45th at 239, and Steve Boerner tied for 50th at 246 after shooting 82 on Sunday. Delaware placed three players in the top 20 after never having any individual place better than 23rd in four previous seasons at the CAA Tournament.

Georgia State, which entered the tournament ranked No. 10 nationally in NCAA Division I according to the Sagarin Rankings, earned an automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament with the team championship. GSU freshman Mark Haastrup shot 69 on Sunday to finish at 214 and win the individual medalist title. Also for the Panthers, Steve Tiley placed third at 216 and Joel Sjoholm and Ben Taylor tied for fourth at 221. VCU’s Manuel Relancio was second at 215.

Delaware will close out its season this coming weekend, Apr. 22-23, when the Blue Hens host the annual Scotty Duncan Memorial Tournament at Back Creek Golf Club in Middletown, DE.

AGATE:

Final Team Standings (three rounds/72 holes): 1. Georgia State, 871; 2. Virginia Commonwealth - 893; 3. James Madison - 903; 4. UNC Wilmington - 920; 5. Delaware - 924; 6. Towson - 925; 7. George Mason - 927; 8. William & Mary - 928; 9. Old Dominion - 931; 10. Drexel - 940; 11. Hofstra - 959.

Top 10 Individuals: 1. Mark Haastrup (GS), 70-75-69=214; 2. Manuel Relancio (VCU), 70-73-72=215; 3. Steve Tiley (GS), 71-73-72=216; 4. Joel Sjoholm (GS), 71-75-75=221, Ben Taylor (GS), 74-71-76=221; 6. Jens Fahrbring (VCU), 71-79-73=223; 7. Jeff Castle (TU), 79-73-72=224; 8. Will Shambley (UNCW), 77-76-72=225, Scott Marino (JMU), 68-81-76=225; 10. Joe McLister (DEL), 76-77-73=226, Andrea Perrino (VCU), 80-75 71=226.

Delaware Competitors: 10. Joe McLister, 76-77-73=226; 17. Jeff Griest, 75-75-80=231; 20. Josh Williamowsky, 77-81-73=231; 45. Matt Grobstein, 75-80-84=239; 50. Steve Boerner, 79-85-82=246.

Full Tournament Results (pdf)