2016-17 PBC Yearbook 1617 yearbook | Page 41

of the Year and leads the conference with. 71.77 average this season. He became the first three-time All-PBC selection in Lander men’s golf history and helped lead the Bearcats to a second place finish at the PBC Tournament, the best in program history. Former Bobcat Golfer Qualifies for European Tour, Plays in Australian PGA GIRONA, Spain – It is a proud day for the Georgia College Golf program as former Bobcat Niclas Johansson earned a spot on the European Golf Tour after the final Q-School qualifying stage at the PGA Catalunya Resort on Nov. 17. The European Tour Qualifying School is an annual golf tournament which enables professional golfers to gain a place on the European Tour and its official development tour, the Challenge Tour. The Swedish 32-year-old completed three grueling stages consist- ing of nine rounds of qualifying tournaments to earn his spot on the European tour. The other qualifying golfers only had to complete two stages consisting of six rounds of golf because of their past success in Q-school. In his years at Georgia College, the four-time All-American recorded a stroke average of 73.2, including 20 top-10 finishes with a career-low round of 68. 2016-17 Men’s Golf All-Conference Team First Team Ethan Chamineak, Georgia Southwestern Eli Crumley, Young Harris Keith Egan, Clayton State Matt Elliott, North Georgia August Lindvall, USC Aiken Michal Pospisil, Lander Conor Richards, Lander David Wallin, Young Harris Second Team Noel Anderson, Flagler Davis Bowyer, Montevallo Thomas Hodges, Georgia College Johnson Holliday, USC Aiken Philipp Matlari, Columbus State Spencer Schindler, Flagler Gideon van der Vyver, Columbus State Justin Wood, Montevallo Freshman of the Year Conor Richards, Lander Player of the Year Michal Pospisil, Lander Coach of the Year Michael Butler, Armstrong State “I am of course really happy, to finally reach the European Tour and compete at the highest level when you have put so much ef- fort into it for so many years,” said Johansson via email. “With that being said now the real task starts. I know I can compete out here. Last week, at Q school, I saw how important the short game is and luckily it was really sharp, especially the putting. “I did not hit the ball all that well, which is usually my strong part, but in order to still advance was a great boost of confidence and I know if I only hit it average from my standpoint, I can still put up a score which is all that matters by the end of the day. Thanks to Georgia College and coach Jimmy Wilson, with their belief in me, I was able to build up my foundation as a golfer during my years here and for that I will always be grateful.” Johansson is currently participating in the Australian PGA Championship at the RACV Royal Pines Resort where he sits in 11th place at three under-par after day one, trailing world number seven Adam Scott by just one stroke. 2016-17 P B C Y E A R B O O K 39