Play Golf America Schools to Send Teams to National Golf Championship

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. -- Students from 16 Play Golf America University schools will compete in the National Collegiate Golf Championship Nov. 6-8 (Friday-Sunday) at Silverstone Golf Club in Las Vegas, Nev. The National Collegiate Golf Championship (NCGC) is a Collegiate Golf Alliance (CGA) initiative and endorsed by the National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA). A total of 53 student teams representing 50 schools and 23 states are registered to compete for the Championship, including the 16 Play Golf America University teams.

Play Golf America University, formerly known as GOLF: For Business & Life, is a PGA of America college and university golf program, designed to teach and engage college and graduate students in the game of golf through PGA Professional instruction. The PGA of America renamed and expanded the program with additional recreational sport elements, including a partnership with the Collegiate Golf Alliance (CGA) to deliver on-campus playing opportunities as a next step for students learning the game.

"I am pleased to see that many of our member institutions are participating in the National Collegiate Golf Championship," said Tom Templin, Co-Director of the Play Golf America University Program. "Through their involvement in hosting local scramble events and other recreation sport activities, these colleges and universities have moved Play Golf America University to a new level of student participation in the great game of golf."

The CGA and NIRSA promote and market the National Championship to more than 750 colleges and universities making this the premier recreational college golf event. In 2009, there were more than 5,000 participants with more than 400 qualifying for the National Championship. Approximately 250 colleges and universities were represented in local qualifying events, making this CGA and NIRSA event the largest golf event in the country.

"We are very excited to be able to expand the NCGC program to include the Play Golf America University schools which will allow more schools the opportunity to participate and compete," CGA's President and CEO Mike Munson said. "The thrill of competing for your university is now available to more students and the excitement and competitive spirit at the National Championship will be at an all time high in 2009."

There are 32 players representing Play Golf America University schools, who advanced to the National Championship by winning the two-person scramble local qualifying events. Play Golf America University schools represented this weekend include:

• Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College

• University of Alabama

• University of Arizona

• Arizona State University

• Georgia Institute of Technology

• University of Illinois

• University of Kentucky

• University of Oklahoma

• Oklahoma State University

• University of San Diego

• Texas Tech University

• University of Nevada-Las Vegas

• University of Texas

• University of Wisconsin

• University of West Florida

• Western Kentucky University

The National Collegiate Golf Championship includes a Pairings Party at Gameworks, along with the Skills Challenge, almostGolf Short Course Championship, Practice Round and the National Championship round at Silverstone Golf Club.

Play Golf America University

Since its conception, The PGA of America has distributed $7.3 million to 76 colleges and universities throughout the country participating in Play Golf America University (formerly GOLF: For Business & Life), including $6.1 million on behalf of members of the U.S. Ryder Cup Teams as a means to support this initiative. PGA Professionals have provided instruction to more than 27,000 college students through this program since 1999.