May 8, 2007

2007 Nelson Finalists Release
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EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern senior Chris Wilson (Dublin, Ohio/Dublin Coffman) has been named one of five finalists for the 2007 Byron Nelson Award, presented by Cleveland Golf, in cooperation with the the Four Seasons Resort and Club Las Colinas and the Salesmanship Club of Dallas.

The announcement was made today by the Golf Coaches Association of America.

The four other finalists for the 2007 Nelson include Louie Bishop of UC Davis, Georgia Tech's Roberto Castro, Sam Korbe of Tulsa and Georgia's Brendon Todd.

Candidates for the Nelson must be a graduating senior and the selection committee will consider equally a nominee's entire collegiate academic career, entire collegiate golf career and his character and integrity while in college. Particular consideration will be given to a nominee's good citizenship, as portrayed by Mr. Byron Nelson over the course of his life and golf career.

A two-time All-Big Ten selection, Wilson has finished in the top 20 seven times this season. The Wildcats' team captain, he was one of four Northwestern student-athletes who designed the recruiting policy that is currently used by the school and member of the task force for creation of Northwestern Athletics' Peer Mentoring Program. He received the Big Ten's Sportsmanship Award in 2005 and 2007.

Wilson, who ranks seventh on NU's all-time list for career stroke average, was the 2006 Big Ten medalist. He was named a Cleveland Golf All-America Scholar in 2005-06, and he is a candidate for ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America honors.

In 2003, former Northwestern golfer Bjorn Widerstedt was one of the five Nelson finalists.

The Nelson -- which is in its sixth year of sponsorship with Cleveland Golf -- will be named prior to the NCAA Championships.