Towson University senior Nyasha Mauchaza's ability to perform below par on the course but well above it in the classroom has earned him the Colonial Athletic Association's 2011 Scholar-Athlete Award for Men's Golf.

Mauchaza, who graduated cum laude last month after completing his Finance degree with a 3.737 GPA, adds the CAA accolade to a long list of career honors and achievements. He leaves Towson as one of the Tigers' most decorated student-athletes in their intercollegiate history.

"Nash's accomplishments on and off the field are well-deserved," said Tiger golf coach, Brian Yaniger. "He has really had a remarkable career. He always worked very hard at both improving his game and maintaining the high academic standards he set for himself. He is an outstanding young man with a very bright future ahead of him in whatever endeavor he chooses."

Named CAA Golfer of the Week five times in the last two years, Mauchaza was a two-time conference All-Tournament golfer. He finished fourth in the league tournament as a junior and third place this past April as a senior. He was a two-time second team All-CAA selection.

The Tigers' top finisher in 17 of his career 46 tournaments, he placed in the top six 10 times during his career. He was the medalist three times.

In 2010 he was runner-up in the 24th annual PGA of America Minority Collegiate Golf Championships, shooting a 4-under par 212, his career low for 54 holes. He was also a recipient of one of 10 State Farm scholarships awarded at the tournament.

Mauchaza was a two-time, first team Arthur Ashe All-American scholar, and was one of 11 national finalists in 2011. A three-time Cleveland Golf/Srixon All-America Scholar as selected by the Golf Coaches Association of America, he was named Capital One District 2 Academic All-American last year.

Selected Towson University's Male Athlete of the Year for 2009-10, he was recognized this past May with the Athletic Department's prestigious Career Achievement Award.

Mauchaza is currently residing in Port St. Lucie, Fla. where he attends the PGA's practice facility on a daily basis.

"Nash has established a time frame for himself in terms of his golf career," Yaniger said. "He'll either make it as a pro golfer or he'll put his finance degree to good use."

Nyasha, a native of Zimbabwe, is the son of Bonnie and Kathrine Mauchaza.