Senior powers Morehouse Tigers golf to victory

Olajuwon Ajanaku can finally cut his hair. The Morehouse College senior wanted to wait until he won a tournament, and his three-round total of 8-over-par 224 was more than enough as Ajanaku placed first individually and his team won the SIAC Golf Classic at par-72 Jones Creek Golf Club on Wednesday.

"I've never seen this much hair on my face," Ajanaku said with a smile.



Morehouse had four of the top five scorers as it ended at 69-over-par for a comfortable victory. The victory gave Bill Lewis coach of the year honors as Morehouse won for the third consecutive year. Benedict College came in second at 135-over and Kentucky State grabbed third at 182-over. Paine College was next in fourth place at 226-over and LeMoyne-Owen College rounded out the team scores at 370-over.

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Paine College to host SIAC Golf Classic

Atlanta, GA — The 2011 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Golf Classic is set to take place Monday, April 18th through Wednesday, April 20th. This year’s classic will be hosted by Paine College and be played at the Lions home course, Jones Creek Golf Club in Augusta, GA.

“Paine College is excited to host golf invitational here in Augusta, Georgia at our golf team’s home golf course, Jones Creek. This gives our community a chance to see some of the finest collegiate student athletes’ play. We encourage members of the community to come out and join us as we celebrate golf in our community,” said Dr. George C. Bradley, president of Paine College.

The 2011 golf championship will feature all five SIAC teams including Benedict College, Kentucky State University, Morehouse College, LeMoyne-Owen College, and Paine College.

Originally designed by renowned golf architect Rees Jones, Jones Creek Golf Club opened its doors in 1985 and is ranked as one of the top golf courses in the state of Georgia, including the best course in Columbia County for 2010. The club is built on a superb site and offers a challenge for golfers of all skill levels. The 6,928-yard course features many changes in elevation, tall Georgia pines, and winding streams throughout the course create a beautiful setting for a championship golf event.

Established in 1736, Augusta is the second largest and oldest city in Georgia. Located in the east central section of the state, Augusta is approximately 150 miles east of Atlanta on Interstate 20. Augusta, also known as the “Garden City”, is home to the most famous professional golfing event in the world, The Masters.

Military man to head Paine College golf

After taking a devastating shot to the nose, Herman Belton Jr. decided his basketball career was over. The military man found a new sport when his cousin in the Air Force invited him to hit balls at a driving range. Belton hit his borrowed 7-iron farther than his cousin's 6-iron.

After 20 years of playing the sport, Belton's now a plus-1 handicap. "I just love the game," he said. At a Friday news conference, Belton was introduced as the new head golf coach at Paine College. He took pictures with his players and spoke with the media at Jones Creek Golf Club.

Belton last coached the South Carolina State men's golf team in the 2009-10 season before the school dropped the program because of financial difficulties. He said friends called him and recommended him for the Paine job after the school fired Hoover Johnson last week.

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Paine sacks its golf coach

Coach Hoover Johnson

Paine College continues its shake-up within its sports department. Golf coach Hoover Johnson, who helped rebuild the program after the team was kept from going to the national championship tournament, was let go by the school this week.

Brandon Brown, Paine's vice president for institutional advancement, said Friday that the school does not comment on personnel matters. "I know a lot of folks question the practice the institution takes with its personnel matters," he said. "We're looking to protect the interests of the institution as well as the former employee."

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2nd Annual Paine College Golf Tournament Builds on Success

Last year's inaugural Paine College Golf Tournament was such a rousing success -- the event raised nearly $25,000 for the Lions' golf program -- that it seemed it would be hard to top in 2010.

It appears that won't be a problem. The second annual tournament, set for Aug. 31, 2010, at Jones Creek Golf Club, Evans, Georgia, already has another full field of 50 three-man teams, and sponsorship money is up from this time last year. The field filled up last week. The cost was $300 per three-man team, or $100 for an individual. "We've got a standby list again," said Kenny Larry, who is back as the chairman of the tournament committee.

Sponsorships are still being accepted. Anyone interested in sponsorships or getting on the waiting list should contact Paine College at (706) 821-8233. With sponsorship money ahead of last year's pace, thanks in part to a $3,500 donation from one area foundation, the tournament is setting a goal of $50,000 raised for the golf program.

Last year's money went for golf equipment, range finders, scholarships, assisting in recruiting and to cover expenses to send the team to the PGA Minority Golf Championships.

The Paine College Golf Tournament started in response to the fact the Paine team qualified for the minority tournament in 2008, but the trip was canceled, with the school citing lack of funds. In the wake of an outpouring of public support after word got out about the problem, Frances Wimberly and other Paine officials thought a benefit tournament might help out. It certainly has. "The tournament is doing very, very well," Larry said.

The tournament is using the same format as last year: a three-man captain's choice. Augusta native and Champions Tour winner Jim Dent will return as honorary chairman and play.

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Message From Honorary Chair Jim Dent

I am pleased to serve as Honorary Chair for the 2nd Annual Paine College Golf Tournament. It is with great pride that I express to you the success of the Inaugural Paine College Golf Tournament held in August of 2009. The overwhelming support from last year’s tournament makes me even more excited to be a part of the 2nd Annual Paine College Golf Tournament, which will be held on August 30, 2010 at Jones Creek Golf Club in Evans, Georgia.

As a supporter of Paine College I am familiar with its mission, stand behind its vision and live by the College’s core values. My interaction with the tournament committee and the Paine Men’s Golf Team has further strengthened my love for this cause. All of the proceeds raised at the Golf Tournament are donated to the College to provide scholarships and program support.

The Paine Men’s Golf Team is on the rise. The team recently placed 2nd in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) Tournament. Your support helps encourage the team to strive for excellence on and off the course.

We appreciate your support and look forward to hearing from you soon. I look forward to seeing you on the course.

Sincerely,

Jim Dent
Honorary Chair