Palermo and Taylor Sweep AMC and NAIA Golf Awards

FULTON, Mo.- After finishing first and second at the Eagle Invitational and taking home American Midwest Conference Golfer of the Week awards, the accolades didn't stop there for William Woods men's and women's golfers Julian Taylor and Jamie Palermo, as both were named NAIA National Men's and Women's Golfers of the Week.

Taylor, a York, England., native wins the National award after he won the Eagle Invitational shooting a 208 (70-64-74; -8), finishing 10 shots better than second place Jonathan Kopsell of Embry-Riddle. His second round score of 64 was the lowest score ever on the Legends Course at LPGA International during the Eagle Invitational, and his victory helped lead the 16th ranked Owls to a third place finish overall at the event.

Head Coach Barry Doty has high remarks for the sophomore who is making an impact so fast in the NAIA. "Julian is having a very strong year and in my opinion is one of the best players in college golf. With his wins at the Missouri Intercollegiate, the Wichita State Shocker Invitational and the Eagle Invitational, Julian is likely the frontrunner for National Player of the Year. His short game is very good and is always a threat to hole out around the greens," said Doty.

Taylor average score so far since the fall is 71.00 and his worst finish is ninth at the NAIA Midwest Invitational, while he has won four different tournaments. The sophomore is ranked fifth nationally in score vs. par (first in AMC) and second in adjusted scoring (first in AMC).

Meanwhile, Palermo a Sante Fe, N.M., native shot a 150 at the Eagle Invitational (76-74; +4), on the Champions Course at the LPGA International. Palermo finished in a tie for second at the event, leading the 7th ranked Owls to a second place finish overall with a 618 score (318-300; +34).

Being a two sport athlete for the Owls, Coach Doty is seeing the growth in Palermo. "Jamie is a tremendous athlete, even after playing soccer for the Owls this fall, it is amazing she can come back to golf this spring and have such a strong showing this early in the year. She is a very talented golfer, having earned First-Team All-American in both her freshman and sophomore years," said Doty.

Palermo has an average score of 80.50 on the year through three tournaments, with the second place finish at the Eagle Invitational being her best on the season. The junior ranks sixth in the conference in both score vs. par and adjusted scoring.

Coach Doty believes that the success of not only Taylor and Palermo, but the entire golf program as well is due to the Flightscope Launch Monitor that the school acquired last fall. The basic concept of the Flightscope is it can measure a number of variables related to swing, club and ball flight in a precise and consistent fashion. The data can be displayed in real time and help the players achieve maximum potential.

Both the men's and women's teams will be back in action on Monday April 1st for the William Woods Spring Invitational that will take place over at Tanglewood Golf Course.

Other nominees on the men's side included: Adam Hall, Blue Mountain (Miss.); DJ Adcock, Martin Methodist (Tenn.); Jess Wingett, Concordia (Ore.); Ryan Hargrove, Arizona Christian; Ben Johnson, Bethany (Kan.); Dave Goad, Madonna (Mich.); Travis Cashion, South Carolina Beaufort; Felix Aberg, Northwood (Fla.); Jakob Good, St. Thomas (Fla.); Matt Emery, Lee (Tenn.); Ian McAdams, Belhaven (Miss.); Chase Blan, Mobile (Ala.); Jonathan Kopsell, Embry-Riddle (Fla.); Trevor Smith, Coastal Georgia; Preston Bartley, Rogers State (Okla.); Austin Hieb, Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.); Jared Lambert, Corban (Ore.); Leon Scheepers, Lubbock Christian (Texas); John-MIchael Pilot, Warner Pacific (Ore.); Ryan Odom, Cal State San Marcos.

Other nominees from around the country for the women included: Hannah Griffin, Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.); Sunny Powers, Concordia (Ore.); Summer Struzinski, William Carey (Miss.); Chelsea Collura, Madonna (Mich.); Sara Koizumi, Lindsey Wilson (Ky.); Lexi Stewart, Tennessee Wesleyan; Micaela Johansson, Northwood (Fla.); Devin Pigford, Mobile (Ala.); Courtney Shelton, Lee (Tenn.); Connie Pitenis, Embry-Riddle (Fla.); Sarah Gilliard, Coastal Georgia; Raquel Trevino, Rogers State (Okla.); Chelsea Burback, Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.); Nathalia Valencia, Wayland Baptist (Texas); Katie Wixon, Corban (Ore.); Scotti Jo Helmick, Warner Pacific (Ore.).