19 PGA Golf Management University programs to vie for 13th PGA Jones Cup

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- With 19 teams representing PGA Golf Management Universities nationwide, the 13th PGA Jones Cup presented by Golf Advisor will be contested Nov. 4-5, at PGA Golf Club.

The 36-hole National Championship for PGA Golf Management Universities features 95 players (five from each school) with defending champion Ferris State University vying to repeat; and both Campbell University and Mississippi State University seeking a record fourth title. 

All participating universities in the PGA Jones Cup presented by Golf Advisor are schools accredited by the PGA of America to offer the PGA Golf Management University Program for aspiring PGA Professionals. There are currently 2,440 students enrolled in the program nationwide.

Among the competitors in the field are 2014 PGA Minority Collegiate Women’s Division Champion Tiana Jones, of the University of Maryland Eastern-Shore, and 2012 PGA Minority Collegiate Men’s Division Champion Justin Watkins, of the University of Central Oklahoma. Local golfers competing include Florida State University’s Andrew Story and Florida Gulf Coast University’s Austin Davenport, both of West Palm Beach.

“These future PGA members represent some of the finest playing PGA Golf Management University students,” PGA Interim President Derek Sprague said. “We join our partner, Golf Advisor, in welcoming each school, as they strive for the glory of victory, while demonstrating the ideals of teamwork and sportsmanship.”

Ferris State, in Big Rapids, Mich., returns to the Tom Fazio-designed Wanamaker Course at PGA Golf Club in pursuit of a second consecutive title. Last year, Ferris State won by 10 strokes over runner-up Florida State.

“There are a couple of things we take seriously here at Ferris State: one is their education, and the other is for a PGA Professional to both play and teach to differentiate yourself as a young golf professional,” said Aaron Waltz, Ferris State PGA Golf Management University Program Director. “Last year, five outstanding seniors worked hard as a team to bring home the championship. It’s exciting to come back down and defend the PGA Jones Cup, represent our university, and make everyone proud.”

The PGA Jones Cup presented by Golf Advisor is named for the first PGA Golf Management University Program Director at Mississippi State, Dr. S. Roland Jones, who held the position from 1985 until his passing in 1997. The event provides a platform where participants can display professionalism, integrity, character and camaraderie; all characteristics Dr. Jones instilled in PGA Golf Management students. Students in the PGA Golf Management University Program study a combination of golf and business-related subjects; serve a minimum of 16 months in on-course internships within the golf industry; and are eligible for direct election to PGA membership upon graduation and eligible employment.

Past PGA Jones Cup presented by Golf Advisor Champions
2013 Ferris State University
2012 Campbell University
2011 N.C. State University
2010 Mississippi State University
2009 Campbell University
2008 University of Idaho
2007 Campbell University
2006 New Mexico State University
2005 Coastal Carolina University
2004 Coastal Carolina University
2003 Mississippi State University
2002 Mississippi State University

13th PGA Jones Cup presented by Golf Advisor Field
Campbell University (Brian Jones, Connor Reilly, Ian Illig, Robert Fenton, Kevin Nagy)
Clemson University (Robbie Failes, Chris Sells, Alex Totusek, Alex Goss, Victor Choi)
Coastal Carolina University (Peter Basso, Ross Seaman, Charles White, Zachary Staub, Morgan Deneen)
Eastern Kentucky University (Tyler Collet, Chase Garris, Joey Faulconer, Josh Griffin, Mikal Harpster)
Ferris State University (Timothy Pearce, Aaron Caverley, Jordan Weinger, Kosta Ramirez, Matthew Goldi)
Florida Gulf Coast University (Warren Chappuis, Turner Batdorf, Corey Weckerling, Austin Davenport, Brandon Jeffries)
Florida State University (Spencer Smith, Andrew Story, Christoper Stone, Dan Mahoney, Parker Soule)
Methodist University (Dan Hemme, Mike Arsenault, Josh Leddy, Brandon Peters, James Bruns)
Mississippi State University (Blake Hatfield, Braxton Rainey, Garrett Bernhardt, Ryan Oliver, Andrew Porubiansky)
New Mexico State University (Arthur Doorn, Cole Lorenz, Anthony Del Dotto, Nate LeBlanc, Jonathan Parker)
North Carolina State University (Anthony Capra, Ben Justus, Tim Palmer, Reed "Pitch" Riley, Zachary Rubenstein)
Penn State University (Michael Esworthy, Steve Sanderson, Jamie Hoke, Doug Rutherford, Ryan Hager)
Sam Houston State University (Alex Lee, Chris Hendrickson, Shane Hall, Matt Rinehart, Garrett Smith)
University of Central Oklahoma (Katie Bensch, Holden Crago, Devin Kerbaugh, Jake Loveland, Justin Watkins)
University of Colorado, Colorado Springs (Matthew Goodson, Alex Calleja, Chris Boehm, Chris Ingram, Ian Ott)
University of Idaho (Tyler Clavin, Brandon Drake, Jordan Ferguson, Eric McCabe, Taylor Riggin)
University of Maryland Eastern Shore (Norman Blanco, Tiana Jones, Greg Raad, Mike Veverka, Jesse Williams)
University of Nebraska (Connor Lindahl, Brett Klug, Andrew Moores, Grant Davis, Brad Bailey)
University of Nevada, Las Vegas (Erik Matthewson, Jeromy Stoks, Jake Dolby, Austin Snow, Phil Soo Kim)