Nov. 5, 2008 -- PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - After spending nine hours traveling from the campus in Moscow, Idaho, putting up with jokes about whether anyone plays golf "out there" this late in the year, the University of Idaho felt it had the right dose of motivation to prove something Wednesday at The PGA Golf Club.

Applying the right blend of teamwork and living up the Vandals moniker, Idaho rallied from a two-stroke first-round deficit to grab the title in the seventh annual PGA Jones Cup presented by Nickent Golf.

The 36-hole event, featuring all 20 schools in the PGA Golf Management University program, became a spirited duel down the stretch under breezy conditions on the Wanamaker Course, which was stretched to 7,043 yards.

"When people hear you are from Idaho, they automatically think of potatoes and they aren't thinking of golf," said Idaho senior Ben Weyland, a 23-year-old from Boise, who is pondering a golf coaching career. "You hear 'is it snowing there yet?' We just wanted to go out and prove that we can play some golf. I didn't putt well today, but the rest of the guys stepped up."

Weyland grinded his way to a 5-over-par 77 after a 73 in the first round to lead his team to a two-day winning total of 615. Sam Houston State University was three strokes behind at 618, followed by defending champion Campbell University, Coastal Carolina and Florida State University all at 619.

Paul Tighe of Logan, N.J., a sophomore from Campbell University of Buies Creek, N.C., came home with a 75 to post the low 36-hole total of 146. Jennifer Heinz, the only woman player in the field, led a trio at 148 that included Grady Randle of Sam Houston State and Jimmy Othus of Florida Gulf Coast of Fort Myers, Fla.

"This place is amazing," said Tighe. "We know we were going to play a nice course because it is the home of The PGA of America. When we got here we saw this was a great facility and the PGA Learning Center. It was tough and a good test and fair. The pins were fair with the way the wind was [blowing]. It would be awesome to run a tournament like this when I become a PGA Professional. To be able to set it up and run it and see what they are doing, they look professional. They hold themselves up to a high standard."

Cole Mize, 26, the interim PGA Golf Management University director at Idaho, praised his team's ability to hold itself together in the second round.

"Our guys all fought hard," said Mize, who is no relation to the former Masters Champion Larry Mize. "One of our guys, Edgar Leano really had a tough start, going 9-over-par after eight holes and could have given up, but he finished strong (an 81), and it showed what these guys are all about and how much pride they have.

"I'm a graduate of the program and it's a fantastic program. It is putting out the best educated professionals and emphasizes what we are all about."

The 100-player field brought together teams from 16 states and may have set the bar even higher for next year's event, which will return to The PGA Golf Club.

"This year's Jones Cup was absolutely one of the best The PGA has ever had," said Bill Cioffoletti, director of recruiting and community outreach for The PGA of America. "The competition between the student-players and universities this week was at a very high level, and we are extremely proud to host this tournament and showcase the top talents from the PGA Golf Management programs."

Begun by Mississippi State University (MSU) in 2002, the Jones Cup is named after the late Dr. S. Roland Jones, MSU's first PGA Golf Management director. The event serves to provide a platform where participants can display professionalism, integrity, character and camaraderie; all characteristics Dr. Jones instilled in PGA Golf Management students.

All participating universities are schools accredited by The PGA of America to offer the four-and-one-half year PGA Golf Management Program. The college curriculum includes extensive classroom studies, internship experience and player development, and provides students the opportunity to acquire knowledge and skills necessary for success in the golf industry as a PGA Professional. Students in the PGA Golf Management Program study a combination of golf and business-related subjects, as well as serve 16-20 months in an on-course internship within the golf industry.

About The PGA of America
Since 1916, The PGA of America's mission has been twofold: to establish and elevate the standards of the profession and to grow interest and participation in the game of golf.

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 $76 billion golf industry.

By creating and delivering dramatic world-class championships and exciting and enjoyable golf promotions that are viewed as the best of their class in the golf industry, The PGA of America elevates the public's interest in the game, the desire to play more golf, and ensures accessibility to the game for everyone, everywhere. The PGA of America brand represents the very best in golf.

PGA Jones Cup Champions
2002 Mississippi State University
2003 Mississippi State University
2004 Coastal Carolina University
2005 Coastal Carolina University
2006 New Mexico State University
2007 Campbell University
2008 University of Idaho

1 University of Idaho--306-309--615; Ben Weyland 73-77--150; Michael Frye 77-77--154; Edgar Leano 75-81--156; Greg Wagner 81-77--158; Christopher Meyer 81-78--159

2 Sam Houston State University (Huntsville, Texas)--305-313--618; Grady Randle 76-72--148; Jennifer Heinz 71-77--148; Eric Voltin 76-77--153; Jake Daniels

82-87--169; Brooks Maak 83-87--170

T3 Campbell University (Buies Creek, N.C.)--307-312--619; Paul Tighe 71-75--146; Matthew Noel 76-77--153; Charles Gross 77-83--160; Dylan Lemke

83-79--162; Benjamin Culotta 88-81--169

T3 Coastal Carolina University (Conway, S.C.)--304-315--619; Michael Kampschnieder 72-78--150; Aaron Zander 73-79--152; Nicholas Keefer 79-79--158; Jeff Stanford 80-79--159; Joshua May 83-79--162

T3 Florida State University--314-305--619; Dylan Malafronte 80-71--151; Dan Ignacio 76-78--154; Brian Mulvin 81-75--156; Nicholas Pincket 80-81--161; Matt Frith 78-85--163

6 Clemson University--315-306--621; Patrick Langan 78-73--151; Dan Kinn 81-73--154; Drew Walters 78-80--158; Scott Cline 82-80--162; Alan Nelson 78-85--163

7 New Mexico State University--315-314--629; Craig Crandall 75-76--151; Henry Stetina 77-79--156; Andrew Gulick 79-80--159; Kyle Anderson 84-79--163; Andrew Reynolds 84-80--164

8 Florida Gulf Coast (Fort Myers, Fla.)--314-317--631; Jimmy Othus 70-78--148; Mike Vanover 83-76--159; Brady Fennel 82-79--161; Stephen Burleson 79-84--163; Ryan Coll 86-84--170

T9 Mississippi State University--312-325--637; Ryan Coyle 74-83--157; Jonathan Howell 78-80--158; Joshua Wright 82-81--163; William Hassell 83-81--164; Matthew Tashenberg 78-NC--NC

T9 North Carolina State University--313-324--637; Tyler Yancey 75-82--157; Jose Furtado 80-82--162; Kenneth Mesimer 84-78--162; Josh Rackley 80-82--162; Matt Barksdale 78-86--164

T9 University of Nevada-Las Vegas--319-318--637; Evan Ives 74-74--148; Nick Rodgers 78-77--155; Ryan Mitchell 85-80--165; Jon Horner 82-88--170; Kevin Wong 94-87--181

12 Eastern Kentucky University--321-318--639; Jacob Schakat 77-78--155; Robert Costello 78-79--157; Trey Scott 82-81--163; Will Schneider 84-81--165; Alex Martin 85-80--165

13 Arizona State University--331-317--648; Michael Ortega 80-71--151; Matt Leonard 84-80--164; Phillip Johnson 83-83--166; Eric Smith 84-83--167; Todd Sapiro 84-84--168

14 Ferris State University (Big Rapids, Mich.)--324-325--649; Kirt Mowery 80-77--157; Nicholas Knight 77-85--162; Chris Bigford 83-82--165; Tyler

Robinson 85-81--166; Cody Smith 84-92--176

15 Penn State--327-326--653; Adam Thomas 81-78--159; William Ciccotti 77-85--162; Patrick McLaughlin 84-82--166; Paul Mudrey 85-81--166; Andrew Hardin 88-88--176

16 University of Nebraska--327-329--656; William Greene 77-80--157; Mitch Holgate 82-80--162; Jon Moore 85-82--167; Anthony Thiner 83-87--170; Billy Bolin 89-90--179

17 Methodist University--329-328--657; Steve Daly 81-77--158; Preston Combs 78-83--161; Matt Moroz 82-81--163; Chad Crocker 88-90--178; Mike Bryant 91-87--178

18 University of Colorado at Colorado Springs--335-325--660; Cameron Morton 82-80--162; Dustin Moser 85-80--165; Sean Connachan 85-81--166; Brian Carruthers 83-84--167; Hunter Hidalgo 86-89--175

19 University of Central Oklahoma--333-339--672; Nathan Hamstead 77-89--166; Daniel Stith 86-83--169; Beau Streck 83-87--170; Adam Miller 90-83--173; Trent White 87-86--173

20 University of Maryland Eastern Shore--347-356--703; DJ Hoster 80-84--164; Minsoo Soh 83-83--166; Jon-Michael Payne 90-96--186; Anthony Long 94-93--187; Johnny Martin NC-NC--NC

Contact: Ashley Ross
The PGA of America
561-624-7672
aross@pgahq.com

OR

Matt Freeman Edelman
404-832-7714
matt.freeman@edelman.com