HANCEVILLE, ALA. – Wallace State sophomore golfer Sylas Elliott has been named a 2016 Jack Nicklaus National Player of the Year Award semifinalist.
Finalists in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) ranks will be named Wednesday and recipients named June 2. The five finalists to receive the Jack Nicklaus National Player of the Year Award will compete in the Barbasol Shootout for an exemption into the PGA TOUR's Barbasol Championship, held July 14-17, at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at Grand National in Opelika.
Only 30 golfers across the nation were named semifinalists.
Elliott, a Cullman High graduate, has been one of Wallace State's top golfers over the last two seasons as the Lions have won consecutive Alabama Community College Conference (ACCC)/Region 22 titles. Elliott is less than a month removed from winning low medalist honors at the ACCC tournament for the second year in a row, and he was a two-time champion of Wallace State's Fall Invitational each September.
Elliott, who has signed to play at South Alabama next season, was a 2nd-team NJCAA All-American as a freshman for the Lions, who placed fifth in the nation in 2015. Elliott finished 10th individually in the nation at last season's national championship.
Wallace State's men's golf team makes its 21st national tournament appearance beginning Sunday at the Duran Golf Club in Melbourne, Fla.
Wallace State's women's golf team plays in its first national tournament beginning Monday, May 16 at Dayton Beach, Fla.