NORMAN, Okla. — Three student-athletes from the Gannon University men's golf team—Connor Bennink (Kennett Square, Pa./Unionville), Abe Holmes (Barrie, Ontario/Barrie North Collegiate), and Jacob Mertz (Williamsville, N.Y./St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute)—earned 2021-22 Srixon/Cleveland Golf All-America Scholar honors for NCAA Division II, announced by the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA) on Thursday, July 21.
 
The trio is part of 174 total Division II athletes from 66 institutions to earn the award and Gannon is just one of three PSAC schools (along with Millersville and IUP) to have student-athletes honored this season.
 
Bennink led the Golden Knights in his sophomore season with a 72.8 average after logging 29 total rounds and 11 tournament finishes in the top 10. His low round of the season was a 65 at the West Liberty Invitational and he won the Guy & Jeanne Kuhn Memorial tournament on Sept. 26-27. He also earned four runner-up finishes during the 2021-22—at the Charleston Invitational, Mercyhurst Invitational, Browngolf Intercollegiate Tournament, and the Gannon Spring Invitational.
 
Holmes, a rising senior, notched a 74.4 average after 29 rounds in 2021-22, with four top 10 finishes and a season-low 69 at the PSAC Championships. Holmes earned a pair of second-place finishes in 2021-22, at both the PSAC Championships in the fall and the Mercyhurst Spring Invitational.
 
Mertz finished his senior season with a 77.6 average in 27 total rounds, including three top 10 finishes and a season-low round of 69 at the Elwell Fall Classic. Mertz finished third in that tournament as well as at the Gannon Spring Invitational.

To be eligible for Srixon/Cleveland Golf All-America Scholar nominations, an individual must be a sophomore, junior or senior both academically and athletically in NCAA Division I, II, III, and NAIA, or receiving their Associate's Degree and in their last year of athletic eligibility in the NJCAA. In addition, they must participate in 50 percent of their team's competitive rounds, have a stroke average under 76.0 in NCAA Division I, under 78.0 in NCAA Division II, under 79.0 in NCAA Division III, under 78.0 in NAIA, and under 77.0 in NJCAA, and maintain a minimum cumulative career grade-point average of 3.2. A recipient must also be of high moral character and be in good standing at his college or university.