Stewart Cink Receives NCAA Silver Anniversary Award

Anaheim, Calif. – Former Georgia Tech All-American and veteran PGA Tour golfer Stewart Cink received the NCAA Silver Anniversary Award Wednesday night, in recognition of his collegiate and professional achievements, along with five other former student-athletes at the NCAA Honors Celebration during the NCAA Convention.

The Silver Anniversary Award annually recognizes distinguished individuals on the 25th anniversary of the conclusion of their college athletics careers. Representatives of NCAA member schools and conferences, along with a panel of former student-athletes, select each year’s recipients.

Cink received the award along with Kenyon swimmer, Carla Ainsworth, Brown soccer player Darren Eales, Connecticut basketball star Rebecca Lobo, Stanford swimmer Jenny Thompson and South Dakota State kicker Adam Vinatieri.

Since turning pro, Stewart Cink has established himself as one of the most popular and philanthropic players on the PGA Tour.  In 2017, he was awarded the Payne Stewart Award in recognition of his philanthropic endeavors, his commitment to growing the game, his professionalism, and the distinguished manner in which he embraces the values of golf. Last year, Cink was honored by receiving the 15^th annual Coach Wooden Citizenship Cup.

As a member at East Lake Golf Club, Cink is one of the leaders in the community when it comes to supporting the East Lake Foundation.  The foundation provides resources for families of The Villages of East Lake and students of Drew Charter School to build a better life through college education, mixed-income housing, and community wellness. In addition to being a top supporter of the East Lake Foundation, Cink and his wife, Lisa, have created the Cink It Challenge to benefit local charities that are close to the couple’s hearts. All proceeds from the Cink It Challenge support the Pregnancy Resource Center of Gwinnett and Gwinnett Medical Center Newborn Intensive Care Unit.

The Cinks are longtime supporters of the Yellow Jackets’ golf program as well, and are among the founding members of Georgia Tech’s Noonan Golf Facility, the Jackets’ practice venue.

Cink has been a full-time player on the PGA Tour since 1997, playing more than 500 PGA TOUR events with six PGA TOUR victories during that 23-year-span. Cink’s first PGA Tour victory came in 1997 at the Travelers Championship, with additional victories at the 2000 RBC Heritage, 2004 RBC Heritage, 2004 World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational, 2008 Travelers Championship, and the 2009 Open Championship. He’s also represented the United States on four Presidents Cup teams and five Ryder Cup teams.

Originally from Florence, Ala., and now a resident of Duluth, Ga., Cink earned All-America honors three times at Georgia Tech. He earned the Fred Haskins and Jack Nicklaus National Player of the Year Awards as a senior in 1995, and also was named the Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year. Cink was inducted into the Georgia Tech Sports Hall of Fame in 2005.

ABOUT GEORGIA TECH GOLF

Georgia Tech’s golf team is in its 25^th year under head coach Bruce Heppler, winning 62 tournaments in his tenure. The Yellow Jackets have won 18 Atlantic Coast Conference Championships, made 29 appearances in the NCAA Championship and been the national runner-up four times. Connect with Georgia Tech Golf on social media by liking their Facebook page, or following on Twitter (@GTGolf) and Instagram. For more information on Tech golf, visit Ramblinwreck.com.