May 27, 2009

KENNESAW, Ga. - Two Kennesaw State golfers, Michael Tulacz and Jeff Karlsson, earned Atlantic Sun Conference recognition as the conference announced it's A-Sun Men's Golf All-Conference selections on Tuesday afternoon in Macon, Ga.

Tulacz was an All-A-Sun Second Team selection for the second consecutive year while Karlsson became the second-ever KSU men's golfer to earn All-Freshman Team honors, joining Matt Nagy who was an All-Freshman pick last season.

"I am very proud of both Mike and Jeff and what they accomplished this season," said head coach Blake Smart. "They are both deserving of being named to the all-conference and all-freshman teams. Each one of these young men are not only excellent golfers, but they are also men of character and have proudly represented our program and the University."

Tulacz, a native of Connelly, New York, enjoyed another stellar season for the Black and Gold as he posted five top 10 finishes including a third place result at the Mizuno Savannah Intercollegiate where he shot a 1 under par 215.

He led Kennesaw State in stroke average at 73.6, win/loss percentage at .691 and also topped the Owls with 15 rounds of par or lower including five rounds below 70, including back-to-back 3 under par 69's at the Atlantic Sun Conference Men's Golf Championships where he finished tied for eighth place.

The Owls lone senior, Tulacz began the year on fire with three top 10 finishes and nine straight rounds shooting par or better. He placed ninth at the Palmer's Toyota Fall intercollegiate and fifth at the Mason Rudolph Invitational before his best finish of the year in Savannah. He also finished fifth, his best finish of the spring season, at the Larry Nelson Intercollegiate.

Karlsson was one of three KSU golfers to participate in all 11 events this season and had four top 20 finishes including an impressive third place finish amidst foul weather conditions at the Columbia Invitational at the Galloway National Golf Club in New Jersey. The Owls freshman shot a 9 over par 222, finishing one stroke behind a pair of top 25 ranked golfers in No. 13 Tim McKenney of Florida and No. 21 Tom Hoge of TCU.

The Gothenburg, Sweden native had a .597 winning percentage for the season and had six par or better rounds during the year, including a 3 under par 69 in the second round of the Mizuno Savannah Intercollegiate where he finished in a tie for 11th place. Karlsson also matched his low round of the year in the second round of the Atlantic Sun Conference Championships where he finished in 14th place.

This is the second consecutive season in which the Owls have had multiple players recognized by the conference in its postseason awards. Last year the A-Sun recognized Tulacz, Nagy and Oliver West with all-conference selections.

Kennesaw State All-Conference Selections

2009

Michael Tulacz, Second Team
Jeff Karlsson, All-Freshman Team

2008
Michael Tulacz, Second Team
Oliver West, Second Team
Matt Nagy, All-Freshman Team

2007
Kris Shephard, Second Team