NORMAN, Okla. – The Golf Coaches Association of America announced its second wave of Srixon/Cleveland Golf All-America Scholars late Tuesday, with Chattanooga junior A.J. Lintunen and sophomore Leon Bader both earning the prestigious honor.
 
Eleven SoCon student-athletes earned the honor in the first wave of selections.
 
To be eligible for Srixon/Cleveland Golf All-America Scholar status an individual must be a sophomore, junior or senior academically in Division I, II, III, and NAIA, or receiving his associate’s degree and in his last year of athletic eligibility in the NJCAA. In addition, he must have a stroke-average under 76.0 in Division I, 78.0 in Division II, 78.0 in NAIA and 79.0 in Division III, 77.0 in NJCAA, and maintain a minimum cumulative career grade-point average of 3.2. For 2019-20 only, he must participate in 40 percent of the team’s competitive rounds.
 
It’s the first such mention for the Mocs’ duo.
 
“Congratulations to A.J. and Leon,” Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Mark Wharton said. “Their work towards comprehensive excellence in all phases of the collegiate experience earned this honor. We are always excited to share our student-athlete successes on the national stage.”
 
Lintunen ranked second on the squad with a 73.42 stroke average setting new career bests in virtually every statistical category. That included his first top 10 in February at Florida State's Seminole Intercollegiate. He played his final 14 cards at 1-under before the season was ended due to COVID-19.
 
Bader also produced his top career finish, tying for seventh in October at the Grandover Collegiate, opening with 4-under 68. He was fifth on the squad averaging 74.82 strokes in his 17 cards.
 
Bader and Lintunen join a long list of Mocs earning the award under Mark Guhne’s leadership of the program. Those include Derek Rende (2009-10), Stephan Jaeger (2011-12), Wes Gosselin (2016-17), Phillip Hickam (2017), Stuart Thomas (2017) and Lake Johnson (2018-19). The award was recently extended to include sophomores.
 
For the GCAA’s full release, click here.
 
Srixon/Cleveland Golf All-America Scholars (second wave; SoCon honorees)
Leon Bader, Chattanooga
A.J. Lintunen, Chattanooga