April 25, 2012
Norman, Okla. – Georgia Tech’s James White has been named to participate on the United States team that will compete in the 2012 Palmer Cup at The Royal County Down Golf Club in Newcastle, Northern Ireland. The annual Ryder Cup-style competition will be played June 28-30.
Yellow Jackets’ assistant coach Christian Newton also has been named assistant coach for the USA team, and will with Josh Gregory of SMU, who was previously announced as the United States head coach.
“I’m thrilled to be selected, and this is something I have worked hard for and hoped for,” said White. “It’s an honor to be able to represent the United States in international competition, and I look forward to going to Northern Ireland and compete with these great players.”
White becomes the seventh Georgia Tech player to be named to a United States team for the Palmer Cup, joining Cameron Tringale (2009), Chesson Hadley (2008), Roberto Castro (2005, 2006), Kevin Larsen (2006), Bryce Molder (1998. 1999, 2001) and Matt Kuchar (1998, 1999). Tech coach Bruce Heppler served as coach of the U.S. team in 2003.
“I’m very happy for James. This has been a goal of his for the past two years,” said head coach Bruce Heppler. “It will be a wonderful opportunity for him to represent his country overseas. He has been a special player here, and it is a great accomplishment to be selected. He joins a great line of our past players who have been selected for international competitions. It is also great that Christian will be the assistant coach of the team. Georgia Tech will be well represented at this year’s Palmer Cup.”
White, Blayne Barber of Auburn, UNLV’s Derek Ernst, Corbin Mills of Clemson, Patrick Rodgers and Andrew Yun of Stanford, Alabama’s Justin Thomas, and Washington’s Chris Williams will comprise Team USA.
“I am very honored to coach the caliber of players on this team,” said Gregory. “We will be taking a team to Europe that has past Palmer Cup and Walker Cup experience, which will be a huge asset. We greatly look forward to the opportunity to bring the Cup back home to the U.S.”
Barber (2-1-1), Williams (2-0-2) and Yun (4-0) all three posted winning records in leading the Americans to victory last year at The Stanwich Club. Yun became just the 13th competitor in the history of the Palmer Cup to post a perfect 4-0 record at the matches.
The United States leads the Palmer Cup series 8-6-1 and has won two straight.
