The Paine men's golf team, the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference champion, officially withdrew Thursday from the PGA Minority Collegiate Golf Championship at The PGA Club in Port St. Lucie, Fla. The 54-hole event runs today through Sunday.

According to Charlie Bussey, father of senior golfer Antwan Hawthorne, the team was told Wednesday by athletic director Ron Spry the school did not have funds to travel to the tournament.

Freshman Sean Lucas confirmed the news Friday afternoon. An SIAC All-Conference first-team member, Lucas of Los Angeles said he is planning to transfer.

"It's super-frustrating," he said. "It's frustrating. We won the first golf championship at Paine. That's enough reason, I believe, for us to play in the tournament."

Paine, which finished fourth in the PGA Minority Collegiate Golf Championship last year, was one of the pre-tournament favorites. The Lions were bidding for the school's first national championship.

Reach Chris Gay at 706-823-3645 or chris.gay@augustachronicle.com