BRYAN, Texas – The Texas A&M men's golf team honored its 2017-18 regular season Friday evening as part of the annual Aggie Golf Day and Team Awards Ceremony at Traditions Club.
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Junior Chandler Phillips earned the prestigious Most Valuable Player Award a day after being named First Team All-SEC for the second consecutive season. The Huntsville, Texas, native has won three events this year, giving him a total of five for his career and tying him with Anthony Rodriguez for most victories in an A&M career. Phillips won the Badger Invitational, the Aggie Invite and in February became the first ever two-time winner at the John Burns Intercollegiate. He brings a 70.55 stroke average into the NCAA Championship and is on pace to break his own school record set last season. Phillips has posted 24 rounds of par or better in his 33 rounds of competition.
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Sophomore Dan Erickson was honored as the team's Most Improved Player following his emergence as one of the SEC's top competitors this spring after not breaking the Aggie lineup during the fall semester. Erickson has posted four top-10 showings and a 71.95 scoring average in seven events this season. He was named SEC Golfer of the Week on Feb. 28 following his first collegiate victory, a 10-under showing at the 33rd annual Louisiana Classics.
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Newcomer of the Year was given to Walker Lee, who has produced a 72.79 scoring average and a pair of top-10 placings during his rookie campaign in Aggieland. The Houston native won his first career event this spring by sharing medalist honors with Phillips at the 2017 Aggie Invitational allowing him to claim SEC Freshman of the Week honors for the performance.
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Senior Andrew Paysse was honored with the Coach Bob Ellis Leadership Award for his dedication to make himself and his teammates better each day. A four-year starter for the team, Paysse has played in 40 career events for Texas A&M and has posted a career-low 72.21 stroke average with a trio of top-10 showings this season.
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Meanwhile, sophomore Brandon Smith was presented with the B.K. and Jane Watson Academic Achievement Award for his efforts balancing hard work in the classroom and on the golf course. The Frisco, Texas, native has been a key part of the Aggie lineup this season, playing in 10 events with five top-10 finishes, and was named to the SEC Community Service Team.
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In addition, several other statistical achievements were recognized at the event including Best Driver (Phillips), Mental Toughness Award (Phillips), Best Ball Striker (Smith) and Best Putter (Josh Gliege).
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The Aggies will tee off their postseason run next week as Texas A&M hosts the NCAA Bryan Regional at Traditions Club Monday through Wednesday.
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Junior Chandler Phillips earned the prestigious Most Valuable Player Award a day after being named First Team All-SEC for the second consecutive season. The Huntsville, Texas, native has won three events this year, giving him a total of five for his career and tying him with Anthony Rodriguez for most victories in an A&M career. Phillips won the Badger Invitational, the Aggie Invite and in February became the first ever two-time winner at the John Burns Intercollegiate. He brings a 70.55 stroke average into the NCAA Championship and is on pace to break his own school record set last season. Phillips has posted 24 rounds of par or better in his 33 rounds of competition.
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Sophomore Dan Erickson was honored as the team's Most Improved Player following his emergence as one of the SEC's top competitors this spring after not breaking the Aggie lineup during the fall semester. Erickson has posted four top-10 showings and a 71.95 scoring average in seven events this season. He was named SEC Golfer of the Week on Feb. 28 following his first collegiate victory, a 10-under showing at the 33rd annual Louisiana Classics.
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Newcomer of the Year was given to Walker Lee, who has produced a 72.79 scoring average and a pair of top-10 placings during his rookie campaign in Aggieland. The Houston native won his first career event this spring by sharing medalist honors with Phillips at the 2017 Aggie Invitational allowing him to claim SEC Freshman of the Week honors for the performance.
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Senior Andrew Paysse was honored with the Coach Bob Ellis Leadership Award for his dedication to make himself and his teammates better each day. A four-year starter for the team, Paysse has played in 40 career events for Texas A&M and has posted a career-low 72.21 stroke average with a trio of top-10 showings this season.
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Meanwhile, sophomore Brandon Smith was presented with the B.K. and Jane Watson Academic Achievement Award for his efforts balancing hard work in the classroom and on the golf course. The Frisco, Texas, native has been a key part of the Aggie lineup this season, playing in 10 events with five top-10 finishes, and was named to the SEC Community Service Team.
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In addition, several other statistical achievements were recognized at the event including Best Driver (Phillips), Mental Toughness Award (Phillips), Best Ball Striker (Smith) and Best Putter (Josh Gliege).
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The Aggies will tee off their postseason run next week as Texas A&M hosts the NCAA Bryan Regional at Traditions Club Monday through Wednesday.