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Svensson caps season with Nicklaus Award

Adam Svensson's golf season keeps getting better - and it's only June.

The Earl Marriott grad and Barry University (Miami) sophomore capped his college golf season by winning the Jack Nicklaus Award as the top golfer among NCAA Div. II schools in the U.S. this year.

"I had a great year and then it was kind of topped off with the Nicklaus award," Svensson said. "I'm pretty proud of myself. Only one player per division gets it so it's a pretty big award. It's a great honour to win that award. I was told about the award and while I didn't know much about it, I figured I had a good chance. It really was a great way to end my year. It's pretty awesome."

Svensson was the No. 1-ranked player in Division II golf this season after winning a Barry school-record seven tournaments in 2013-14 while helping Buccaneers repeat as national champions.

Svensson's seven tournament victories matched an NCAA record set by Stanford's Tiger Woods in 1996.

The Nicklaus Award came with a perk that Svensson reluctantly had to decline.

"I was supposed to meet Jack Nicklaus and shake his hand at the Memorial Tournament, but I couldn't go because I was playing in the U.S. Open qualifier," he said. "That kind of sucked."

In his final college tournament of the season, Svensson helped the Barry Buccaneers defend their team title as the top golf program in NCAA Div. II.

Svensson finished second in the individual scoring at national championship tournament and his efforts helped the Buccaneers win the team championship.

"I had a good tournament," he said. "I wasn't swinging that well, but I managed to keep it together. I'm not disappointed that I didn't win - that would have been nice, but I'm happy that our team won. I was happy to win the team championship and celebrate with my teammates."

Svensson didn't spend much time celebrating. Last week he was in Rochester, New York for the prestigious Monroe Invitational Championship. Founded in 1937, the Monroe is one the oldest amateur tournaments in North America and features the top-ranked collegiate and amateur golfers in the United States plus several international players.

Svensson played well in the event and finished second overall. Svensson shot a nine-under (69-67-69-66) 271 to finish two strokes back of Kent State's Taylor Pendrith.

This week Svensson is in Fort McMurray for a Canadian Tour event before heading to Nova Scotia for a Web.com Tour tournament in early July.