AIKEN, S.C.--The back nine held little doubt of the outcome for both the individual and team races on Tuesday afternoon as fifth-ranked USC Aiken (+5) wrapped up the 2008 Peach Belt Conference Men’s Golf Championship by 10 shots over Clayton State (+15). Individually, junior Will Wilcox (-8) finished eight shots clear of the 35-player field giving the Lakers their first-ever PBC medalist.

Six of the nation’s top 25 Division II men’s golf teams highlighted the star-studded field. The event was contested at the 6,548-yard, par 72 Houndslake Country Club in Aiken, S.C. The club centers around a 27-hole championship course designed in 1974 by Joe Lee, who planned the likes of Doral, La Costa, and Disney World.

Serving as host for the third time in the league’s 17-year history, USC Aiken won its first PBC Title in its hometown, becoming the first school since Georgia College & State in 2000 to accomplish that feat. Winners of a league-best eight PBC Championships, USC Aiken has captured the crown five of the past seven years.

The Pacers fired a final round of even-par 288, their fourth best effort this season and the first time in 2007-08 that USCA has recorded back-to-back sub-290 team totals. Clayton State put forth a tremendous charge, entering the day trailing by just three strokes. The Lakers pulled within one early in round three after opening two-under-par through three holes, but USC Aiken steadily widened the gap. The runner-up finish is the best in school history for Clayton State.

Georgia College & State (+17) registered their second-straight 289 to finish third while Columbus State (+25), Lander (+37), Armstrong Atlantic State (+57), and UNC Pembroke (+69) rounded out the field.

Wilcox capped off his dominating performance with his second-straight bogey-free round. The Pell City, Ala. native did not record a bogey over his final 43 holes dating back to the par four 11th hole in round one. On Tuesday, Wilcox polished off his eight-stroke victory with two birdies for a final round 70. Last year’s PBC runner-up, Wilcox was the lone player in red figures at eight-under-par.

Roberto Diaz carded a 73 to finish in sole possession of second place at even-par 216 for the 54 holes. It was the sixth top five finish this year for the junior All-American.

Jeff Goff recorded two bogeys and two birdies on each nine to finish with an even-par 72 and tie for fourth place, his third top five. Freshman Ashley Smith opened the day four-over after four holes, got it back to one-over with birdies on seven, 10, and 11, but a double bogey on 15 dropped him to a final round 76. The two-day performance highlighted by Monday’s career-best 69 still earned Smith his first top five.

J.P. Solis, another talented Pacer freshman, and sophomore Kevin Grady tied for 12th, giving USC Aiken five of the top 12 golfers in the field. Solis finished with an even-par 72 while Grady signed for the team’s low round of one-under-par 71.

Joining Wilcox, Diaz, Goff, and Smith on the All-Tournament Team was Wade Binfield (Clayton State), Chris Wolfe (AASU), Andrew Georgiou (Columbus State), and Joe Young (GCSU).

USC Aiken receives the league’s automatic bid to the 2008 NCAA Southeast Regional held May 5-7 in Belmont, N.C. It marks the 17th-straight NCAA Tournament for USC Aiken.

Complete Results