AIKEN, S.C.– Seniors Brandon Pace (Morehead City, N.C.) and Adam Howell (Rocky Mount, N.C.) each recorded top-20 placements at the Eighth Annual Palmetto Intercollegiate Tuesday, as the Pirates (42-57-2) finished in seventh place out of 12 teams.

The 54-hole event was contested at the 6,380 yard, par 71 Palmetto Golf Club in Aiken, S.C. Founded in 1892, Palmetto is recognized as the fourth oldest golf course in the United States and holds the oldest membership certificate to the USGA still in existence.

Pace, who was tied for first heading into final round action, carded a seven-over par 79 and finished tied for 11th with a 54-hole total of 220. Howell finished tied for 19th after rounds of 70, 76 and 76 for a final score of 222. Junior Robin Smith and freshman Chris Ault finished tied for 25th.

Houston's Jordan Irwin claimed individual honors with a score of 212 (73-69-70) and USC Aiken's Clint Smith finished one stroke back (213) for second place.

Host school USC Aiken and the University of Houston could not settle their differences on the course despite 54 holes of regulation play and two sudden death playoff holes, so the Pacers and Cougars will share the title, part of the Cleveland Golf Collegiate Championship Series. Both teams were 21-over-par after Tuesday's final round, but the event was called after two playoff holes as Houston had to catch its flight back home.

Fellow Conference USA foe USF, finished third (879) with UT Arlington (882) and Charleston Southern (886) finishing fourth and fifth respectively.

"We just couldn't get on track," said Head Coach Kevin Williams. "After 36 holes, we were in good position to make a run at the title, but we just could not get going. We need to build on the first two-rounds from this tournament and carry that over to our event this weekend."

The Pirates will be back on the links this Friday when they host the 10th Annual Bradford Creek Intercollegiate.

Top Pirate Finishes
T11. Brandon Pace 70-71-79=220
T19. Adam Howell 70-76-76=222
T25. Robin Smith 77-72-77=226
T25. Chris Ault 77-73-76=226
T59. Philip Reale, II 76-79-83=238

Top Individual Finishes
1. Jordan Irwin (Houston) 73-69-70=212
2. Clint Smith (USC Aiken) 71-72-70=213
T3. Ricky Romano (Houston) 72-73-71=216
T3. Stuart Carrihill (Char. Southern) 71-70-75=216
T5. Three tied at 217

Top Team Finishes
T1. USC Aiken 292-288-293=873
T1. Houston 294-291-288=873
3. USF 287-292-300=879
4. UT Arlington 300-294-288=882
5. Charleston Southern 293-288-305=886