Carlisle Signs Three During Early Signing Period

AIKEN, S.C. – University of South Carolina Aiken head golf coach Michael Carlisle announced the addition of three golfers to the Pacer golf program on Friday, Nov. 19, 2010.

Two of the three golfers will come to USC Aiken from the Palmetto State, while one will join the nationally-renowned Pacer golf program out of Scotland.

"These are three really exceptional student-athletes we have joining our program next year," said Carlisle. "They work hard on the golf course and in the class room. All three of them are straight A students and have shown the ability to put together sub par rounds in a tournament. They are exactly what we need to continue the tradition of excellence in our golf program at USCA."

Taylor Banks will have two years of eligibility remaining after spending his first two seasons at USC Lancaster.

The Lancaster, S.C. native is currently ranked in the top 15 in the National Junior College Athletic Association. He was a runner-up in the 2009 South Carolina Junior Golf Association All-Star Championship.

Andrew Ward finds his way to Aiken out of Clover High School in York, S.C. Ward has been an all-conference performer for Clover for the past four years. He chose USC Aiken out of eight scholarship offers.

Ward finished tied for the third at the prestigious Blade Junior Championship Golf Tournament in 2010. The event is held each year at the Thornblade Country Club in Greer, S.C.

Neal Beattie is the lone international in USC Aiken's early signing period class. Beattie is a native of St. Andrews, Scotland and he played on the Scottish team in the England International Schools Match.

A Fife Boys Match Play and Medal Play Champion, Beattie was also a Fife Youths Champion.