Final scores at bottom

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- Bethune-Cookman University of Daytona, Fla. captured both the Division I men's and women's titles Sunday at the 22nd PGA Minority Collegiate Golf Championship at PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Fla.

In the men's division, Bethune-Cookman carded a team-total of 8-over-par 872 to defeat Jackson (Miss.) State University by 17 strokes. The University of Texas-Pan American finished in third place overall.

Carl Corbin of Bethune-Cookman won the Division I men's individual standings title after carding a final-round 3-under-par 69. Corbin finished two strokes ahead of Brett Benson of Jackson State.

"I really wanted to play well for the team this week and come out on top, since we have come so close the past few years," said Corbin, a senior from Reading, England. "We went out today trying to beat the guy we were playing with and the rest would take care of itself. And this victory shows that the rest did take care of itself."

In the women's division, Bethune-Cookman won for the third consecutive year after carding a team-total of 918 to defeat the University of Texas-Pan-American by 16 strokes.

Becky Dowell of Bethune-Cookman claimed the women's individual medalist honors with a three-day-total of 225. She edged Mariale Camey of Texas-Pan American by one stroke.

"I am very satisfied with the overall performance of my team at this Championship," said Head Coach Dr. Gary Freeman. "I have super group of kids that I am able to coach and it was a privilege to watch them play out here this week."

Freeman said it was especially pleasing to see his boys' team take home the title after finishing in second place last year.

"The boys team knew they could do better then last year," said Freeman. "A few of the boys have not had a chance to be on a Championship team before, so that is very satisfying."

Fayetteville (N.C.) State University took home the Division II title with a three-day total of 9-over-par 873. Lincoln University of Jefferson City, Mo., finished in second place, nine strokes behind.

Ian Milne, a senior from Deland, Fla., led the Broncos with a final-round even-par 72, concluding the Championship with a 12-foot putt for birdie.

"I just wanted to help my team win for the third consecutive year," said Milne, who is playing in his third Championship. "I had a few struggles during my round but was able to finish off the tournament with a birdie at the final hole."

In the NAIA Division, Johnson & Wales University of Miami, Fla., cruised to victory, carding a three-day-total of 857. The University of Texas at Brownsville finished in second place overall.

Nick Zappin led the Wildcats with a three-day total of 6-under-par 210. His round was highlighted by four birdies.

"Anytime you win a championship of this prestige it means a lot, said Zappin, a senior from North Miami, Fla. "This team victory will help build our confidence as we conclude our successful season."

Sara Young of Florida State University in Tallahassee captured the women's independent division with a final-round 77, defeating first-round leader Alexis Garduno of Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Va., by nine strokes.

"This feels so good. I am so glad to pull out a win in this Championship," said Young, a junior from Jacksonville, Fla. "After losing by a stroke last year I wanted to come out and prove to myself that I could win on a big stage like the Minority Championship."

In the independent men's division, Armando Favela of Loyola (Ill.) University, recorded a 1-under-par 215 to win the men's independent division over Amit Odaiyar of Florida Atlantic University.

Nearly 200 contestants from 47 colleges and universities, representing 14 countries comprised the field for the 2008 PGA Minority Collegiate Golf Championship.

About the PGA Minority Collegiate Golf Championship

The PGA Minority Collegiate Golf Championship originated from a meeting in November 1986 following the Jackson State University Golf Tournament. The late Dr. Herschel Cochrane, Dr. Joe D. Saunders of the National Negro Golf Association, Jackson State University Golf Coach Eddie Payton, Rose Harper-Elder of the Sports Management Institute and William (Bill) Dickey founder of the Bill Dickey Scholarship Association and the 1999 PGA Distinguished Service Award winner, are credited as the founders of this Championship.

The goal was to elevate the game of golf in minority colleges and universities by giving them a chance to compete in a championship because of being denied opportunities to compete in NCAA Collegiate Golf events. The first Championship was conducted in the spring of 1987 at Highland Park Golf Course in Cleveland, Ohio. Since 1998, The PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Fla., has been host to the Championship.

In 2006, The PGA of America was granted complete ownership and management of the championship by the National Minority Collegiate Golf Scholarship Fund.

In 1990, a Career Fair was conducted for the first time in conjunction with the Championship to provide corporate sponsors the opportunity to interview and recruit outstanding college students for future employment. As a result, the Career Fair has developed into an invaluable resource to assist students in gaining internships and full-time positions within the golf industry.

Also, State Farm Insurance has extended its sponsorship to support the PGA Minority Collegiate Golf Championship through 2010. The State Farm sponsorship provides funding of a one-hour Championship highlight program on Golf Channel. Students from participating schools in the 2008 Championship can apply to receive scholarship awards from State Farm Insurance for their academic excellence at their respective institutions.

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By establishing and elevating the standards of the golf profession through world-class education, career services, marketing and research programs, the Association enables PGA Professionals to maximize their performance in their respective career paths and showcases them as experts in the game and in the $195 billion golf industry.

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