UNCP's Synan Named Eaton Pride/GCAA Southeast Region Coach Of The Year

NEWCASTLE, Northern Ireland – After leading the UNCP men's golf team to a banner season – one which included a conference championship, as well as a spot in the NCAA national championship round – head coach David Synan was awarded with Eaton Golf Pride Southeast Region Coach of the Year laurels.

The award, presented in conjunction with the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA), is the first regional or national coaching honor for UNCP since the women's softball coaching staff captured region staff of the year honors from the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) in 2008. Synan, a two-time Peach Belt Conference Women's Golf Coach of the Year recipient, recently completed his seventh season at the helm of the men's program in Pembroke.

The Braves exhibited their finest season in the 45-year history of the program by capturing the 2012 Peach Belt Conference Championship, finishing fourth at the NCAA South/Southeast Super Regional and, ultimately, posting a 10th place finish at the NCAA Division II National Championships at the Cardinal Club in Simpsonville, Ky. The appearance in The Bluegrass State marked the first-ever trip to the national championship round for the Black & Gold. UNCP, which boasted a pair of all-American golfers and a trio of all-PBC recipients, shattered the league record for single season stroke average (288.84) as well.

The Braves finished third or better in 10 of their 12 events this season, including wins at the Laker Collegiate, Richard Rendleman Invitational, the Magnolia Collegiate Invitational and the PBC Championships. Seniors Jordan Walor (71.4), Jonathan McCurry (72.5) and Scott Lambert (73.3) all finished among the PBC's top eight golfers in 2011-12.

Synan, a Laurinburg native and a graduate of nearby Scotland High School, played his collegiate golf at High Point and boasts personal championships at the 2010 Durham Amateur Open (-3, 69-70) and 2011 Scotland County Amateur (E, 62-77-77). Since his hiring as head golf coach at UNCP prior to the 2005-06 campaign, his men's teams have taken home eight tournament championships and the women have recorded 11 tournament victories, including the 2011 PBC Championship.

Eaton's Golf Grip Division is the world's largest manufacturer of golf grips, with manufacturing, sales and distribution facilities on five continents. The division's Golf Pride brand is recognized globally as the number one choice in grips among tour and recreational players, competitive amateur golfers, club manufacturers and club repairmen. For more information, visit www.golfpride.com.