Justin Lower, of Canal Fulton and a recent graduate and member of the Malone University men's golf team, was named to the All-Nicklaus Team last week. The award, given by the Golf Coaches Association of America honors players from Division I, II, III, NAIA, and NJCAA for their outstanding play during this past collegiate season.  Lower was one of 24 players named to the squad from all levels.  The All-Nicklaus Team was created in 2008 and is not only named for the game's greatest player but for his long-time support of collegiate and amateur golf.  Jack Nicklaus was a Big Ten and NCAA Champion at The Ohio State University and has helped create the Jack Nicklaus Award, which since 1988 has been given to the top collegiate golfer on each level.

Lower finished a stellar four-year career with Malone with a third-place individual finish at the recent NAIA National Championships while pacing the Pioneers to a fourth-place team finish. Malone has finished in the top-twenty at the NAIA national event in all four years of Lower's Pioneer career.  In addition to being named to the All-Nicklaus team, Lower was recently awarded NAIA All-American honors, becoming Malone's first-ever four-time recipient of that honor.  In 2010, his junior campaign, Lower captured the NAIA individual national championship.

In addition to these honors, Lower was also recognized as the 2011 David Toms Award, which is also awarded by the Golf Coaches Association of America.  This award goes to a men's golfer on any level (Division I, II, III, NAIA, NJCAA) who has overcome adversity to achieve collegiate excellence. Last season Lower was named the Jack Nicklaus Player of the Year for the NAIA, which goes to the player with the best overall season.

Click here for the official release from the GCAA (which included a listing of all team members on the All-Nicklaus Team).