Pacers honored by state

COLUMBIA - Back-to-back national championships netted USC Aiken golfers a round of applause Thursday from the South Carolina House of Representatives.

And team members pledge to make it a three-peat.

Head coach Michael Carlisle said the recognition is positive for the players, the university and the state.

"That's what we exist for, to bring positive attention to our university," Carlisle said. "We're proud of them."

The Pacers have won the Division II national championship two years in a row. In addition, Dane Burkhart of Aiken earned the 2005 NCAA Division II individual title and was named the Jack Nicklaus Division II Player of the Year.

Rep. Robert "Skipper" Perry, R-Aiken, gave Burkhart and teammate Scott Brown special kudos Thursday for leading the championship team.

"These are two young men that you would want to have for your children," Perry said.

Brown, of North Augusta, said the team appreciated the recognition. Asked to pick, though, he laughed, "Winning the championship was a little bit better."

He and Burkhart have a simple formula for success.

"Working hard (is) the difference between being good or great," Brown said. "Being there, too, a lot - being in contention more makes you a better player because you learn how to handle the pressure."

Said Burkhart: "If you want to be successful, double your failure rate.

"If you're not trying hard enough and you're not failing at any time, then you're not giving it your full effort," he said.

Reach Kirsten Singleton at (803) 414-6611 or kirsten.singleton@morris.com.