TOWSON, Md. - Former Tiger golfers Jeff Castle and Billy Wingerd have been named to the prestigious Colonial Athletic Association's Men's Golf Silver Anniversary Team that was announced Friday afternoon.
Castle and Wingerd are among 14 former CAA Players of the Year, numerous All-Region honorees and a pair of All-America selections chosen to the Silver Anniversary Team.
As part of the conference's 25th Anniversary celebration in 2009-10, the CAA is recognizing Silver Anniversary teams in 21 championship sports. The teams were selected by a panel of current and former coaches in the conference.
"It's terrific to see these two young men receive this award and be recognized in this manner," said Tiger golf coach Brian Yaniger. "They were certainly very instrumental in putting Tiger golf on the map. They're both very deserving of the honors."
Castle is Towson's low score record holder for both an individual round (63 at the James Madison Invitational) and 54-hole score (200 at same event 70-67-63). In 2006 he posted just one round over 74 for the entire year.
His -8, 63 is three strokes better than second best, which he co-holds. The 200 (-13) is four strokes better than second place for a 54-hole event.
Castle earned numerous honors during his collegiate career. He was the 2006 CAA Player of the Year. He shared the honor with teammate Wingerd in 2005. He was first team All-Conference in 2005 and 2006, and second team in 2004 and 2007. He was a four-time Cleveland All Region Team selection. In 2006 he was named Towson University's Athlete of the Year.
In 2006 Castle won the 85th Maryland State Golf Association Amateur Championship. He competed in two U.S. Amateur National Championships.
Wingerd was the 2004 CAA Player of the Year when he was the league's individual champion. In 2005 he shared the Golfer of the Year title. He was named to the Cleveland All Region Team three straight years. He was also a first-team All-Conference selection as a sophomore, junior and senior. He led the Tigers to two NCAA post-season appearances. In 2005 he was named Towson University's Athlete of the Year.
The 66 he shot at the 2002 East Carolina Pirate Invitational ties for the program's second lowest score. His 205 (-9) he carded at the 2004 Ron Moore Invitational stands as Towson's second lowest 54-hole score.
In addition to his collegiate honors, Wingerd won the 2008 Maryland Open Championship.
Joining Castle and Wingerd on the CAA Silver Anniversary team for men's golf are: Derek Brown (UNC Wilmington), Ted Brown (VCU), Josh Dickinson (East Carolina), Rob Gai (Richmond), Adam Gee (UNC Wilmington), Stan Guerrero (Old Dominion), Mark Haastrup (Georgia State), Geoffrey Harris (Old Dominion), Michael Hospodar (Old Dominion), Steve Jamroz (Richmond), Donny Lee (VCU), John Maginnes (East Carolina), Craig Mason (George Mason), John McHenry (William and Mary), Reg Millage (VCU), Eric Onesi (Old Dominion), Brent Paladino (William and Mary), Tim Pemberton (William and Mary), John Rollins (VCU), Rob Shawger (Richmond), Tom Sherreard (Georgia State), Joel Sjoholm (Georgia State), and Jay Woodson (James Madison).
Men's golf has been a championship sport in the CAA since the league's inception in 1985. The first decade was dominated by East Carolina and Richmond, with the Pirates winning seven CAA titles - including five straight from 1990-94 - and the Spiders taking home three league crowns (1986, 1989 and 1995). VCU entered the CAA in 1996 and proceeded to capture seven consecutive CAA championships (1996-2002). The Rams earned their eighth title in 2009. During the past decade, Georgia State (2006, 2008), UNC Wilmington (2004, 2005) and Old Dominion (2003, 2007) have each won a pair of CAA championships.
The conference has had multiple teams selected to participate in the NCAA Golf Regionals 12 times since 1991. The Tigers competed in 2000, 2004 and 2005. Three teams have advanced to the NCAA Golf Championship - Richmond in 1999, VCU in 2002 and Georgia State in 2007. Three individuals have also competed in the NCAA Championship - VCU's Reg Millage in 2000, VCU's Ted Brown in 2003 and Georgia State's Joel Sjoholm in 2008, when he finished in a tie for 13th overall.
More extensive biographies of the members of the Silver Anniversary team are included with this release. Photos and a video of the anniversary team are available at http://www.caasports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=8500&ATCLID=204865504
