If every collegiate golf coach in America could be as lucky as USC Aiken's Michael Carlisle.
He's quick to admit he has it easy with juniors Dane Burkhart and Scott Brown.
Carlisle rarely offers instruction to the pair. He never tells them how to practice. And he doesn't worry about them in the classroom.
"I make sure they have enough golf balls," Carlisle half-joked. "I make sure they get to the course."
BROWN AND BURKHART are the main reason the Pacers are ranked No. 1 in Division II. Last year, the pair helped lead USC Aiken to its first national championship. This season, Brown and Burkhart continue to pace a squad that has won 10 of 12 tournaments.
Beginning today, Brown and Burkhart will try to help the Pacers win their 11th event when the team tees off at noon in the NCAA Division II National Championships at The Club at Savannah Harbor in Savannah, Ga.
And with the two finest seasons in USC Aiken history down to one tournament, Brown and Burkhart are also favorites for the individual crown.
The pair have bettered their stroke averages by almost three shots from a season ago - Burkhart leads with a 72.00 stroke average to Brown's 72.03. For four more days, Scott Usher holds the school's season scoring record of 73.06.
In the past month, Brown and Burkhart have each won a tournament. Burkhart captured the Peach Belt Conference Tournament, while Brown placed second. The two finished in reverse order in the NCAA Southeast Regional.
If that wasn't enough, Brown threw in a course-record 60 at Palmetto Golf Club last month - with Burkhart helping caddie for him.
It's been quite a transformation for the duo, two of the top golfers on the Division II circuit.
BROWN EMERGED FROM academic limbo, surviving an 18-month competitive absence from collegiate golf. Burkhart stepped out of the shadows of others, becoming a mature, confident player.
The two knew of each other growing up, playing in local junior tournaments. They saw each other again when Brown played for North Augusta High School and Burkhart for South Aiken.
But they didn't become close friends until Brown rejoined the USC Aiken team in spring 2004. After becoming academically ineligible following his freshman year, he left school for a year at Aiken Tech to pick up his grades.
"I always had a feeling I was going to come back," Brown said. "I wasn't going to give up on it. I just had to work my butt off in school, not just on the golf course. That was my problem the first time. I didn't know what to expect."
Burkhart didn't know what to expect, either, when he began playing for the Pacers in fall 2002. He made the travel squad in just two of four fall events. Before the spring semester, he sat down in Carlisle's office and talked about the enormous difference between high school and college golf.
But Burkhart didn't really improve his game until he and Brown became team fixtures in spring 2004.
"When Brownie got back on the team, we hit it off really well," Burkhart said. "We've just worked so hard to improve each other's games. It's huge to have someone like that. It's kind of like having an accountability partner."
BROWN, 21, IS the ideal teammate to help the late-blooming Burkhart develop his game. Brown played his first round of golf at age 5 and steadily progressed through the years. He received an offer to play for Division I College of Charleston, but didn't pass an entrance exam.
Brown then decided to head to USC Aiken, where he became the Peach Belt Freshman of the Year.
"I wouldn't change it now," Brown said. "It's a lot better here."
Burkhart, 21, didn't dream of becoming a golfer growing up. He pursued the sport of baseball as a talented pitcher. But one day during his 7th grade year, he goofed off throwing a vortex football. Then he heard his elbow pop.
It was the end of his baseball career.
Burkhart made the South Aiken golf team his freshman year, but didn't become a varsity regular until his junior season.
Even then, he found himself behind Kevin Kisner and Alex Hamilton, who went on to earn scholarships from Georgia and South Carolina, respectively.
"I look at it as I had a great opportunity with some of the top amateurs in the country," Burkhart said. "I played right behind Kevin and Alex all through high school, and that's really what got me driving to be good. I really wanted to beat those guys. They were so much better than me in high school, and I think I've kind of caught up to them now."
BROWN AND BURKHART each finished the 2003-04 season with stroke averages above 74.5. They decided to work hard on their short games, solidifying their wedge play from 100 yards in.
Their practice paid off this season. Burkhart has recorded 11 top-10 finishes in 12 events, while Brown has 10 top-10 showings. Brown has won a pair of events, while Burkhart has won once.
"The only difference between me and Dane week in and week out is who makes more putts," Brown said. "Our ball-striking is as good as it gets as far as other guys throughout the country."
When USC Aiken played in the prestigious Hall of Fame Classic, a tournament loaded with eight top-25 Division I teams in the 19-team field, Burkhart finished seventh and Brown 25th.
A coach from one of the top five Division I teams in the nation - Carlisle won't divulge the name - mentioned how unbelievable it is to have golfers the caliber of Burkhart and Brown on the Division II level.
"Either one of those kids can play for any team in the country," Carlisle said. "Both of them could be starting for Oklahoma State, UNLV, anybody. Those schools know it, too, because they've commented to me about it."
Brown and Burkhart will test their games against the nation's best during the summer. The two have a packed slate of amateur events - Brown is scheduled to play in the prestigious Western Amateur, while Burkhart will represent his home country in the Fuji Xerox USA vs. Japan Collegiate Golf Championship.
With one more of year of school remaining, Brown and Burkhart both say they want to better their games even more.
And both want to add another national championship.
"I want me and Dane to be considered the best duo to ever come through USC Aiken," Brown said. "To do that, we're going to have to win two more (national championships). But I think it'll take care of itself."
Reach Chris Gay at (706) 823-3645 or chris.gay@augustachronicle.com.
- When: Today - Friday
- Where: The Club at Savannah Harbor, Savannah, Ga.
- DEFENDING CHAMPION: USC Aiken
Pacing the Pacers
USC Aiken juniors Dane Burkhart (left) and Scott Brown (right) are enjoying great seasons thus far. The Pacers have placed first in 10 of 12 tournaments this year.
Burkhart2004-2005 Brown
30 Rounds 30
2,160Strokes2,161
72.00Average72.03
65Low Round 68
1stBest Finish1st
(2)12 Top 2010
11Top 1010
2003-2004
34Rounds22
2,535Strokes1,647
74.59Average74.86
68Low Round 69
1st (2)Best Finish 2nd (2)
9Top 205
6Top 104
Source: www.pacersports.com
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