Van Sickle selected to
play in 2009 Palmer Cup
Marquette University senior one of eight golfers named to
U.S. squad
April 27, 2009
Lucas LeNoble, Marquette University (contact)
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MILWAUKEE -- Marquette
University senior Mike Van Sickle was one of eight
individuals selected to play for the United States in the
2009 Palmer Cup, a match-play Ryder Cup-style competition
between the best college golfers from the United States and
Europe.
Selections were announced Thursday by the Golf Coaches
Association of America. Named after legendary golfer Arnold
Palmer, this year's Palmer Cup will be held June 3-5 at
Cherry Hills Country Club in Cherry Hills Village, Colo.
"I'm very excited about this opportunity," said Van Sickle.
"I was really hoping that I would make the team and it
became a goal of mine at the beginning of the season. This
is one of those tangible rewards for all off the hard work
and time you put in behind the scenes. My play this last
year has improved across the board, and to accomplish that
goal is very gratifying. It seems like it's going to be
really strong field."
Bud Cauley (Alabama), Morgan Hoffman (Oklahoma State), Trent
Leon (Oklahoma State), Jaime Lovemark (USC), Adam Mitchell
(Georgia), Cameron Tringale (Georgia Tech) and Steve Ziegler
(Stanford) have been selected to join Van Sickle on the U.S.
team.
Picked to defend team Europe's 2008 Palmer Cup title are
Jorge Campillo (Indiana), Stephan Gross (Arizona State),
Leonardo Motta (University of Milan), Henrik Norlander
(Augusta State), Chris Paisley (Tennessee), Andrea Pavan
(Texas A&M) and Tim Sluiter (USC) and Robin Windgardh
(Tennessee).
Van Sickle is the eighth-ranked amateur in the world,
according to the latest Scratch Players World Amateur
Ranking, and is currently the fourth-ranked amateur in the
United States by the R&A World Amateur Golf Ranking. He has
posted a school-record 11 collegiate victories and his five
wins this year leads all of NCAA Division I. Van Sickle
currently leads the nation in scoring average (69.67),
birdies (160), eagles (8), sub-par strokes per round (5.33)
and par-4 scoring (3.94).
The Palmer Cup is held every odd year in the U.S., with
Europe hosting in even years. Washington's Matt Thurmond
will coach the U.S. team as it tries to win back the cup
after Europe's 14-10 victory last year at Scotland's Glasgow
Golf Club. The U.S. holds a 6-5-1 overall lead in the annual
competition.
"I think this is a great honor for Mike," said Marquette
head coach Tim Grogan. "It's one of college golf's most
prestigious events and for Mike to be selected as one of the
top eight players is well-deserved. It should be a great
experience for him. We're proud to have him represent
Marquette University and the United States in this event."
2009 Palmer Cup Participants
United States
Bud Cauley, Alabama
Morgan Hoffmann, Oklahoma State
Trent Leon, Oklahoma State
Jaime Lovemark, Southern California
Adam Mitchell, Georgia
Cameron Tringale, Georgia Tech
Mike Van Sickle, Marquette
Steve Ziegler, Stanford
Europe
Jorge Campillo, Indiana (Spain)
Stephan Gross, Arizona State (Germany)
Leonardo Motta, Univ. of Milan (Italy)
Henrik Norlander, Augusta State (Sweden)
Chris Paisley, Tennessee (England)
Andrea Pavan, Texas A&M (Italy)
Tim Sluiter, Southern California (The Netherlands)
Robin Windgardh, Tennessee (Sweden)
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