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FORT WORTH, Texas -- Georgia senior Chris Kirk was named the winner of the 2007 Ben Hogan Award at Colonial Country Club on Monday. The award was presented at the start of the PGA TOUR's Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial tournament week.

The most prestigious award in men's college golf, the Hogan is presented annually to the top men's NCAA Division I, II or III, NAIA or junior college golfer taking into account all collegiate and amateur competitions during the last 12 months. It is presented by Colonial Country Club and The Friends of Golf (FOG) in cooperation with the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA).

A Hogan Award finalist and Ping First-Team All-American last year, Kirk won four collegiate events -- the Carpet Capital Collegiate, the Western Refining College All-America Classic, the Schenkel E-Z-GO Invitational and the Linger Longer -- during his senior season. During his victory at The All-America Classic, Kirk set a tournament and school record with an 18-under-par 195. He also posted three third-place showings this season.

Kirk represented the United States at both the Palmer Cup and the World Amateur Team Championship last year and will compete in the Palmer Cup again this summer. Georgia's record holder with seven career wins, Kirk hails from Woodstock, Ga.

"I was ready to turn pro last year, but coming to the Hogan banquet last year and not winning gave me something that I wanted to come back and accomplish," said Kirk. "I'm glad I came back for my senior season at the University of Georgia. I've really enjoyed the time with the team and had fun in Athens. To win this award is really special."

Georgia is currently the top-ranked men's team in Division I, and won the East Regional over the weekend to advance to the NCAA Championships, which run May 30-June 2 at Golden Horseshoe Golf Club in Williamsburg, Va.

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