Winchester, Tenn. (April 20, 2010) --- In his first season with the Milligan College men's golf team, former Science Hill standout Blake Howard (Johnson City, Tenn.) was named the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Player of the Year and earned a trip to the 2010 NAIA Men's Golf National Championship Tuesday afternoon after the completion of the AAC/NAIA Direct Qualifier Tournament.

Howard fired a 1-under par 212 (73-71-68) at the 6,764 yard, par 71, Bear Trace Course at Tims Ford becoming the fourth AAC champion from Milligan College and third individual national qualifier in the program's history. Heading into the opening round on Monday, Howard was ranked first in the AAC and 13^th nationally in stroke average by Golfstat.

As a team, the Milligan men finished runner-up to the AAC newcomers Reinhardt (Ga.) College. The Eagles compiled a team tally of 881 which edged the Buffs by three strokes. The Bulldogs of Tennessee Wesleyan rounded out the top three a shot behind Milligan at 885. In the program's 13 year existence, Milligan has three AAC team titles and now four runner-up performances.

The Buffs finish the year with an overall record of 113-48, and were ranked 18^th in stroke average according to the latest Golfstat reports and 49^th within the NAIA.

Howard heads to the TPC at Deere Run, home of the PGA Tour's John Deer Classic, for the 59^th playing of the NAIA Men's Golf National Championship on May 18, in Silvis, Ill. The 72-hole tournament is scheduled to conclude on May 21, with tee times to be released pending the completion of the remaining conference tournaments.